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CDE^RIGHT D£POSm 



Mary P. Hamlin and George Arliss 



HAMILTON 




A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS 



Walter H. Baker 6 Co.. Boston 



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HAMILTON 



Hamilton 

A Play in Four Acts 



By 

MARY P. HAMLIN and GEORGE ARLISS 

The professional and moving picture rights in this play are 
strictly reserved and application for the right to produce it under 
these conditions should be made to the authors' agents, Messrs. 
Klaw and Erlanger, New Amsterdam Theatre Building, 42nd St., 
near Broadway, New York, who will quote terms. Amateurs may 
produce it privately after previous written permission from Messrs. 
Klaw and Erlanger and George C. Tyler, as above, has been ob- 
tained, upon payment of a fee of twenty-five dollars (^25.00) for 
one performance, and ^15.00 for each additional performance, pay- 
able in advance. For performances given by schools for educa- 
tional purposes a special reduced royalty of ^10.00 will be quoted 
on application to the publishers. All payments and correspond- 
ence relating to amateur performances should be addressed to 
Walter H. Baker & Co., 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Mass. 



BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 
1918 



Hamilton 



CHARACTERS 

Alexander Hamilton. 
General Schuyler. 
Thomas Jefferson. 
James Monroe. 
William B. Giles. 
Count Tallyrand. 
John Jay, C/ii'ef Justice. 
Zekiel. 

James Reynolds. 
Colonel Lear. 
First Man. 

Betsy Hamilton. 
Angelica Church. 
Mrs. Reynolds. 
Soldier's Wife. 
Melissa. 




Copyright, 1917, by 
Mary P. Hamlin and George Arliss 
{^As an unpublished dramatic composition) 

Copyright, 1918, by 

Mary P. Hamlin and George Arliss 

As authors and proprietors 

Professional stage and moving picture rights reserved 



C^ 



V 

:!.D 508H2 



\^ 



I- 



Authors' Preface 



This play is written for the stage. It is written with a de- 
sire to convey to the audience that the builders of the foun- 
dation of the American RepubUc were real people, and not 
merely a procession of nice gray-headed old gentlemen who 
were mainly occupied in sitting for their portraits to Gilbert 
Stuart and John Trumbull. 

Probably no keen admirer of Alexander Hamilton will be 
fully satisfied with the play. But the authors console them- 
selves with the reflection that no playwright could do justice 
to the power and scope of this remarkable man within the 
limits of an evening's entertainment. In writing a play 
dealing with a great historical figure it is necessary to select 
an incident that brings out boldly the predominant char- 
acteristics of the hero. Having decided upon the incident, 
it is advisable not to befog it by the introduction of other 
important episodes however much they may redound to the 
credit of the central figure, or however much you may be 
tempted to use them. Alexander Hamilton achieved dis- 
tinction in so many different directions — as a shipping clerk, 
as a soldier, as a powerful and graceful writer, as an orator, 
as a tactician, as a master of the financial policy of Nations 
— that to the casual reader of history it might seem difficult 
to discover this dominant characteristic. But to the student 
and lover of Hamilton it stands out clear and well-defined — 
Courage. Not the courage of the blind egoist or of the im- 
perious politician, but the courage which had its roots in 
love of truth and of honorable dealing. 

And so the authors chose the incident which forms the 
basis of this play. In their opinion, no single event could be 
found that displays this fine quality of courage more surely 
and more definitely than the course adopted by Hamilton in 
the face of the attack by his political enemies. Those de- 
scendants of Alexander Hamilton whom the authors have 



vi AUTHORS' PREFACE 

had the honor of meeting, have expressed their satisfaction 
at the selection of this incident ; and the authors feel that it 
is no breach of confidence to record that they have received 
words of praise from the two men who know more about 
Hamilton than perhaps anybody in America — two of his 
keenest admirers — Senator Lodge and Nicholas Murray 
Butler. 

The historical record on which the play is founded can be 
seen by any student who is so far interested, by applying to 
the Lenox Library in New York. It is known as the " Reyn- 
olds Pamphlet " and is the document wi-itten by Alexander 
Hamilton himself. 

The play keeps very close to history. The main incidents 
are, in all essential details, historically correct. It has bee][i 
necessary to take some few liberties but these are of minor 
importance. The dialogue is not written precisely as it 
might have been spoken at the end of the eighteenth cen- 
tury. The authors believed that a slavish attempt to elimi- 
nate all words and phrases that were probably not in vogue 
at the time would result in many instances in tedious 
phraseology and a certain artificiality, which they particu- 
larly desired to avoid. They have however endeavored on 
the whole to maintain the atmosphere of the period. 
^,^-^The stage directions are designed and intended for the 
guidance of the actors and not for the entertainment of the 
reader. There is a growing tendency amongst writers of 
plays to introduce long and humorous stage directions that 
are often very entertaining in the library but very dangerous 
and misleading for the stage. They are misleading to a 
producer because they frequently make a scene appear to be 
very sparkling, while it is in reality exceedingly dull— the 
sparkle being confined exclusively to the stage-directions. 
They are dangerous for the actor because they make him 
believe that his part is a great deal better than it really is, 
and so he is apt to regard his audience as stupid because 
their intelligence fails to appreciate subtleties that he de- 
tected at the reading. In reality it is the author who is to 
blame ; he has let the actors into certain dark secrets con- 
nected with their characters, without giving them the ghost 
of an opportunity, through the dialogue or situation, of con- 
veying these confidences to the audience. 



{^Program of original performance given at the Apollo Theatre, 
Atlantic City, New Jersey, Septeinber 6, igiy. Produced 
with the same cast at the Knickerbocker Theatre, New York, 
September I'/, igi7-) 

Knickerbocker Theatre 
GEORGE ARLISS 

{Direction Klaw & Erlanger and George C, Tyler) 

^^HAMILTON^' 

A New Play in Four Acts, Dealing with the Life of 

Alexander Hamilton During the Period of 

Washington's Administration 

By MARY P. HAMLIN and GEORGE ARLISS 
THE PLAYERS 
Alexander Hamilton ... - George Arliss 
Thomas Jefferson ... - Carl Anthony 

James Monroe ----- Hardee Kirkland 
William B. Giles ----- John D. Ravold 
Gen. Philip Schuyler . - - George Woodward 
Count Tallyrand - - - - Guy Favieres 

James Reynolds Pell Trenton 

Zekiel James O. Barrow 

Chief Justice John Jay - - - - Wilson Day 

Colonel Lear Harry Maitland 

Citizen - - - - - - CM. Van Clief 

Betsy Hamilton Mrs, Arliss 

Angelica Church - - - - Marion Barney 

Mrs. Reynolds Jeanne Eagels 

Melissa - - - - . - - Katharine Hayden 
Mrs. Zachary Whalen - - - - Gillian Scaife 

THE SCENES 

Act I. — The Exchange Coffee House in Philadelphia. 

Act II. — A room in Alexander Hamilton's house in Phila- 
delphia. (The office of the Secretary of the Treasury.) 

Act III. — The same. (Six weeks later.) 

Act IV. — A reception room in Alexander Hamilton's house. 
(The next morning.) 



The play produced under the stage direction of Dudley Digges. 



COSTUMES 

ACT I 

Jefferson. Cutaway coat of period, dark, heavy ma- 
terial brown corduroy breeches and vest ; top boots to knees, 
plain leather, not polished ; stock and plain fall ; three-cor- 
nered black hat ; wig as in plates or paintings. 

Monroe. Dark green cutaway coat and breeches, light 
fancy vest ; silk stockings, colonial shoes with buckles, 
stock and lace fall, three-cornered black hat ; walking stick. 
Dark tie wig. 

Giles. Light brown corduroy, long square cut coat, knee- 
breeches, snuff-colored plaid vest, stock and fall and hat. 
Dark tie wig. 

Tallyrand. Cinnamon cutaway coat ; silk vest, black 
and white stripes, black silk knee-breeches, silk stockings and 
shoes ; long black cane with tassel ; large Napoleonic hat 
with black feather ; white stock and elaborate lace fall ; 
jewelry, chains, rings, etc. Auburn wig not tied. 

Schuyler. Wine colored coat and breeches ; dark green 
flowered vest, silk stockings and shoes ; stock and lace fall ; 
three-cornered beaver hat trimmed with silk ribbon ; walk- 
ing stick, white tie wig. 

Reynolds. Prussian blue coat with tails ; fancy flowered 
vest ; buff colored riding breeches ; top boots, plain leather ; 
stock and fall ; gray, three-cornered hat ; dark tie wig. 

Melissa. Buff colored skirt, three-quarters length; short 
armed, black bodice, laced down centre ; fancy apron ; 
shoes and stockings. 

Citizens and Quakers. Costumes of period. 

ACT II 

Hamilton. Light gray moire silk coat and knee-breeches, 
lightish green fancy vest ; handsome stock and lace fall, 
gray silk stockings and colonial shoes with buckles. Me- 
dium fair tie wig. 

viii 



COSTUMES IX 

Schuyler. As in Act I, with dark colonial cloak. 

Zekiel. Snuff brown long square coat trimmed with 
black and steel buttons ; breeches of same material ; black 
stockings and shoes. 

Mrs. Whalen. Long skirt, old dark material ; short 
sleeved bodice of same ; head-dress, a piece of worn-out 
lace ; shoes and stockings. 

Jefferson. As in Act I. 

Monroe. As in Act I. 

Tallyrand. Rich champagne colored coat with dark 
red velvet collar ; yellow silk breeches ; fancy vest of yellow 
material with pattern ; yellow silk stockings ; dark shoes ; 
long white cane with tassel ; champagne gloves ; hat as in 
Act I. 

Mrs. Reynolds. Very low coat, cream colored gown of 
empire style without sleeves and of a very light filmy ma- 
terial with silk petticoat to match ; stockings to match and 
shoes with straps across instep ; dark blue cloak of light ma- 
terial with hood, lined with emerald green silk. 

ACT III 

Betsy Hamilton. Pale pink dress of fine light silk, 
low cut and without sleeves ; shoes and stockings. 

Angelica. Street costume light brown silk with faint 
yellow plaid pattern ; a dress of pale yellow voile which 
hangs in a panel down front ; bodice with long sleeves and 
tulle trimming ; large picture hat with tulle and marabou 
trimming ; light blue silk shawl with black tassels and jet 
buttons on corners. 

Hamilton. Old rose suit of fine silk ; fancy vest with 
delicate pink pattern ; black hat and cane. 

Jefferson. Tight-fitting dark cutaway coat with knee- 
breeches and buff colored vest ; black silk stockings and 
shoes ; stock and lace fall and hat. 

Monroe. Slate gray coat and knee-breeches ; hght 
fancy vest. 

Schuyler. Dark green coat, flowered waistcoat ; black 
silk breeches. 

Giles, As in Act I. 

Judge Jay. Blue coat and breeches, gray vest ; blue 
stockings, shoes ; stock and fall ; gray tie wig. 



X COSTUMES 

ACT IV 

Betsy. Street costume of heavy dark blue silk with 
thin violet stripes ; hat with feather, gloves and silk shaw]. 

Angelica. Rich gown of heavy yellow silk with brocaded 
buff showing a panel in front of pale violet tulle ; short 
sleeves to elbow with" lace trimmings. 

Hamilton. Black velvet suit. 

Colonel Lear. Military costume of period. 

Jefferson, Monroe, Schuyler and Jay. As in Act III. 

Mrs. Reynolds. Long traihng skirt of white messaline 
with polka dot pattern and red stripe ; hght gray tight fitting 
bodice with red tulle shawl ; light green bonnet with rose in 
front on long stem ; large feather muff. 



PLEASE NOTICE 

The professional stage-rights and moving picture rights in 
this play are strictly reserved by the authors. Applications for 
its use should be addressed to Messrs. Klaw and Erlanger and 
George C. Tyler, New Amsterdam Theatre Building, 42nd St., 
near Broadway, New York. 



Attention is called to the penalties provided by the Copyright 
Law of the United States of America in force July I, 1909, for 
any infringement of their rights, as follows : 

Sec. 28. That any person who wilfully and for profit shall infringe any 
Copyright secured by this Act, or who shall knowingly and wilfully aid 
or abet such infringement, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and 
upon conviction thereof shall be punished by imprisonment for not ex- 
ceeding one year or by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars, or both, 
at the discretion of the court. 

Sec. 29. That any person who, with fraudulent intent, shall insert or 
impress any notice of Copyright required by this Act, or words of the 
same purport, in or upon any uncopyrighted article, or with fraudulent in- 
tent shall remove or alter the copyright notice upon any article duly copy- 
righted shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not less 
than one hundred dollars and not more than one thousand dollars. 



Hamilton 



ACT I 

SCENE.— TA^ Exchange Coffee House in Phila- 
delphia, a morning in August, during Wash- 
ington's first administration. It is a great room 
with low ceiling and neatly sanded floor. 
Against wall, back, are cupboards with shining 
pewter tankards and dishes. Centre, a great 
fireplace with wide stone hearth, and high- 
backed settles on each side. Running up right, 
table with chairs left of it at irregular in- 
tervals. Long seat right of table. Right, 
back, tub stands on floor and contains melons, 
cucumbers, bottles of wine and a pitcher of 
milk, cooling. Over fireplace is a large crim- 
son silk liberty cap, with these words above in 
large letters, '' Sacred to Liberty.'' On wall 
near is the following, in large print: '' Break- 
fast — two shillings (fifty cents). Dinner, with 
grog or toddy — three shillings (seventy-five 
cents). Quart of Toddy — one and six (thirty- 
six cents). Bottle of Porter — two and six 
(sixty cents). Best Madeira — six shillings a 
quart (one dollar, fifty)." Entrances upper 
right and left, also door l. 2 e. 



2 HAMILTON 

A crowd of eight or ten men, including two or three 
Quakers, smoking churchwardens, discovered 
sitting, standing, drinking. Mainly men of the 
better class — not rabble, Melissa, the bar- 
maid, is serving drinks. Men come and go 
during act. James Reynolds, a handsome, 
dissipated ne'er-do-well of about thirty-Jive, 
slightly the worse for liquor, but not drunk, is 
centre of a somewhat jeering- crowd at top of 
table right. Monroe is up left talking to some 
men. Giles is sitting at right of small table 
down left centre. Giles is reading some manit^ 
script — possibly a draft of a Bill for Congress. 

As curtain rises there is a general hubbub, Reyn- 
olds' voice dominant. First Citizen is seated 
on down stage end of long seat right of table R. 
A Second Citizen is facing him, seated on a 
chair, another is on his left further upon seat* 
Three men are standing in a group up stage 
R. c. An old man is seated on settle right of 
fireplace reading '' The Federalist.'' A man is 
seated on settle left of fireplace. He is play- 
ing chess with another who is seated on a chair 
in front of him. The chess-board is on a small 
round table between them. Two Quakers are 
standing near the door on the left. Monroe is 
conversing with them. The original flag of 
the United States, thirteen stars in circle and 
thirteen stripes, is on wall above inner door on 
left back. The chairs are all Windsor chairs, 
dark in color. Wainscoting about two feet 
six inches high. All woodwork in dark oak 
and walls and ceiling a neutral smoky gray. 

Round table down stage l. c. with three chairs 
around it — two armchairs and one single chair. 



HAMILTON 3 

The high-hack settles are set at an angle and 
start from the fireplace down stage on either 
side. They fit in between two thick upright 
posts which support a crossbeam. Similar 
posts are suggested right and left at either end 
of beam. Against ^ the post r. c. is a chair. 
Three windows in* right flat and one similar 
window in same position is in kitchen seen 
through entrance up right back. Shelves and 
bottles in kitchen. Through door left back is 
hacking with door and beyond the street. 
At rise Melissa is gathering up tankards and wiping 
off table right. 

Reynolds. 

[Standing on a chair at upper end of table R.] 
Fm selling, I'm selling. 

First Man. 

[Seated r. of table r. down stage end.] Keep 
quiet there, will you? 

Reynolds. 

[Loudly.] Fm selling, I'm selling. States' 
securities for the price of printing. Fm selling — 
I'm selling! 

First Man. 
Can't hear ourselves speak. 

Reynolds. 

What's the use of keeping quiet? Where's a 
gentleman to do business if he can't do it at the 
Exchange Coffee House? 



4 HAMILTON 

Second Man. 
[Seated down r. other side of table.] Oh — 
Where's the gentleman? 

First Man. 

Send the gentleman here.. 

« 
Reynolds. 
I'm the gentleman. [Laughter.] Vm selling, 
I'm selling, I'm selling! 

Men. 
Sit down. 

First Man. 
Melissa, a tankard of porter, my dear. 

Reynolds. 
I'm selling, I'm selling! 

First Man. 
Sit down, Reynolds! How can you be selling 
when there are no buyers! [Enter Tallyrand up 
L. at back.] Ask that gentleman if he's nearly 
finished with the newspaper, Melissa. 

[You see some business between Melissa 
and the man with the newspaper. He re- 
fuses to give it up. Melissa then meets 
Tallyrand c. at back. He has come on 
from street l. 

Reynolds. 

[Coming down stage c] Don't any of you gen- 
tlemen want to make easy money? I'm offering 
you states* securities for the price of the printing. 



HAMILTON 5 

Here's a hundred dollars going to the highest bidder. 
Will any one bid five? [Holding up a paper. 

First Man. 
What state is it on ? 

Reynolds. 
South Carolina. [Laughter from the crowd. 

First Man. 
ril give you sixpence for it. [Louder laughter. 

Giles. 
[Seated R. of round table, down stage l.] 
Where'd you get all this paper all of a sudden, 
Reynolds ? 

[William B. Giles is a small, squat man, 
with swarthy, dirty-looking skin and a 
sharp eye. His features are thick and his 
manner coarse. His boots are heavy, his 
dress untidy, and his voice loud. He has 
the air of a successful bully and prize- 
fighter. 

Reynolds, 
[r. c. down stage.] I got it from the soldiers, 
Mr. Giles. The poor soldiers have entrusted me 

Giles. 
Huh ! They'll be very poor soldiers if they trust 
you. [General laugh. 

Reynolds. 
[Reading from a second paper.] Here's six 
months' pay due Private Hiram Mott — ninety-six 
dollars due from the state of Virginia. 



6 HAMILTON 

Monroe. 
\l]p stage l.] That's not true, sir; Virginia's 
paid every cent she owes. 

[James Monroe is a tall man, but because of 
broad shoulders and stocky build looks 
shorter than he is. His manner is the 
aggressively plain-citizen type. He is 
dressed plainly. He lacks Jefferson's 
gracious bearing, but does not reach Giles' 
roughness. 

Reynolds. 
Ah, it's easy to see you come from Virginia, sir, 
but the poor soldiers 

Giles. 
Poor soldiers ! It's the fortune of war. 

Tallyrand. 
[He has been settling the score with Melissa up 
stage. He speaks with a slight French accent.] 
Ha ! Ha ! The fortune of war ! You bring about 
the war, your soldiers fight for you and conquer 
your enemies and then you repudiate their claim for 
pay. The fortune of war! The war for them — 
the fortune for you, eh? 

[Some laughter. Reynolds mixes with men 
at back R. Tallyrand is very tall, with 
legs too small for his fat body. His blond 
hair is worn in long ringlets over his 
shoulders. His blue eyes, under heavy 
lids, have a look of scrutiny. His nose is 
pointed and aristocratic, but his mouth is 
large and coarse. His manner is watchfid, 
hut pleasant. He is dressed in the height 



HAMILTON 7 

oj fashion. He wears a great hat with long 
curling black plume. When Reynolds 
goes to the men uf) r. two of them move 
away and go off up l.; a third sits r. of 
table R. Reynolds then sits on sill of 
centre window on r. 

Monroe. 

Well, Tallyrand, I thought you had decided to 
return to France. Changed your mind, eh ? Rather 
risky yet for the aristocrats to go back. 

[Coming down l. of table l. 

Tallyrand. 
I leave to-morrow. I am settling my score with 
the beautiful Melissa. 

Monroe. 
[Sitting l. of table.} You're going to take the 
chance, eh ? Well, I hope to follow you in a very 
short time. 

Tallyrand. 
[Leaving Melissa, who curtseys and goes out up 
R.] To follow me, Senator Monroe? 

Monroe. 
As Minister to France. 

Tallyrand. 
[Back of table l.] Ah, yes, how charming! 
President Washington has already appointed you, 
eh? 

Giles. 
Not yet, but we shall get it all right. 



8 HAMILTON 

Tallyrand. 
We? Oh, you also? Two ministers? 

Giles. 

No, not two ministers, but it sometimes takes two 
men to get one job. 

\Enter Schuyler jrom street up l. ; he comes 
to c. looking around. 

Tallyrand. 

Ah ! You mean it is not so easy. You have to 
deal with Alexander Hamilton. 

Giles. 
We'll deal with him all right. Alexander Hamil- 



ton 



[General Philip Schuyler is a large man, 
inclining to stoutness. He has a gouty 
foot and walks with a slight limp. His 
dress suggests the aristocrat; his manner is 
open and genial. He is a handsome, 
lovable old gentleman. He carries a hand- 
some cane. 

Monroe. 
Shh! 

Schuyler. 

Howdy, everybody! 

[Two or three of the men say ''Howdy, Gen- 
eral.'' The Second Citizen rises and 
bows. 



HAMILTON 9 

Tallyrand. 

\Goes to him effusively.] Ah, General Schuyler, 
how are you ? 

Schuyler. 

[Turning and bowing.] Count Tallyrand. 

[Tallyrand takes his two hands warmly, 

Tallyrand. 
And how fares your illustrious son-in-law, Alex- 
ander Hamilton? 

Schuyler. 
Why, I guess he's all right. Tve just come from 
Albany. Tve been over to his house and find he's 
not at home. 

[Giles moves to chair hack of table l. and 
shows Monroe papers. 

Tallyrand. 

Ah, 'tis good for him to get away from his 
labors sometimes. 

Schuyler. 
Well, it's a queer thing for him to be away this 
time in the morning. [Turning again to look around 
to the R. another man rises and says: "" Howdy, 
General.''] I thought he might be here 

Reynolds. 
[Advancing effusively, taking off his hat and 
snaking a low bow.] General Schuyler, now I'll sell 

you one of these 

[Schuyler ignores him and turns back to 
Tallyrand. Reynolds goes up to be- 
hind table R., laughing. 



10 HAMILTON 

Schuyler. 
Everybody calls here. 

Tallyrand. 

Yes, everybody comes to see everybody at the 

Exchange Coffee House. I find it amusing. It is 

Club, Restaurant, Merchants' Exchange, everything. 

\EnteY Melissa with drinks; places them oyi 

table R. 

Schuyler. 
Ah, we'll alter all that in time. Count Tallyrand. 
We're young, you know. Give Alexander Haniil- 
ton time to sow some seeds. We'll have a real 
Merchants' Exchange and a real live country that 
will be able to pay its debts. [Twinge of gout. 
Melissa gets chair from in front of post r. and 
brings it down r. of Schuyler, replacing it against 
table R., then taking tray with other drinks across to 
table down l., giving one to Giles and one to Mon- 
roe. ] And I hope I shall have a real foot, which I 
haven't at this moment. And if you don't mind, 
Melissa, my girl, I'll just rest it in the parlor before 
I hobble along. Good-day to you. Count Tallyrand. 

[Going l. 
Tallyrand. 
I shall call on Alexander before I leave. 

Schuyler. 
He'll be extremely glad to see you. [Twinge,] 
Confound this foot. [Goes off r. 2 e. 

Reynolds. 
[Who has been drinking and conversing with one 
or two shady-looking characters, coming to him.] 
Count Tallyrand, before you return to la belle 



HAMILTON II 

France, wouldn't you like to buy up the whole of 
the French Loan? Fll sell it to you for ten cents. 
[Laughter, Enter l. front street, Thomas 
Jefferson. He is a man over six feet 
tall. His red hair is unpowdered. He has 
pointed features and a freckled face. His 
corduroy breeches are well-worn. 

Jefferson. 

[Coming down stage c] Good-day to you, Citi- 
zens. 

[First Man rises and says: "" Good-day, 

Mr. Jefferson '' ; one or two other men say: 
''Mr. Jefferson.'' 

Melissa. 

[Coming forward with a curtsey to l. of Jeffer- 
son.] Good-day to you, Mr. Jefferson. 

Jefferson. 

Good-day to you, Melissa. And how is your 
father to-day ? Mending, I hope. 

Melissa. 
Yes, Your Honor. Thank you, Your Honor. 

Jefferson. 

No " Honor " for me ; just plain Citizen, Melissa. 
Tell him I asked after him. 

[Moving toward table l. 

Melissa. 
Thank you, sir. [Curtseys and is going r. 



12 HAMILTON 

Jefferson. 
\Turmng slightly, raising finger in protest.] 
Leave off the " Sir." 

Melissa. 
Yes, sir. 

Jefferson. 

[Laughs slightly amused.] A little Madeira now, 
Melissa. [She goes hurriedly R.,and exits.] Citi- 
zen Monroe [Shakes hands.] Good-day to 

you, Citizen Giles. [Does not shake with Giles. 

Giles. 
Howdy, Tom Jefferson. 

Jefferson. 
[Turning in front of table l.] Ah, Citizen Tally- 
rand. 

Tallyrand. 
[Coming down c] Count Tallyrand, if you 
please. 

Jefferson. 

In America there are no titles. Citizen Tallyrand. 
In this land of the free all men are equal. 

Giles. 
And they say titles ain't so very popular in France 
just now. 

Jefferson. 
[Sitting r. of table l.] Ah, France! What a 
glorious change ! The apostle of Liberty and 
Fraternity. 

Tallyrand. 

Liberty! Fraternity! What do you mean by 
liberty, Mr. Jefferson? 



HAMILTON 13 

Jefferson. 
[Points to cap over mantel.] Ask your own 
countrymen, Citizen Tallyrand. There you behold 
the symbol of the liberty of your great land of 
France. To us in America, that crimson cap stands 
as a symbol of freedom — a symbol 

Tallyrand. 
You call that dirty rag a symbol of Liberty? I 
call it a symbol of license, of lawlessness, of murder. 
What say you, Thomas Jefferson, to the murder of 
my king, Louis of France? Is that, too, a symbol 
of Liberty, of Fraternity? 

Jefferson. 

It is the will of the people. The time is not far 

distant. Citizen Tallyrand, when every king in 

Europe will have been swept into the dust heap of 

history. [Approval from the crowd. 

Monroe. 
Louis the Sixteenth was an oppressor of the 
people. 

Jefferson. 
A tyrant. 

Giles. 
Yes, sir. 

Tallyrand. 
[To Jefferson.] You say that — you v/ho for 
five years were Minister to France and enjoyed his 
friendship ? You, who have sat at his table ? 

Jefferson. 
It was necessary to use the arm of the people. 



14 HAMILTON 

Fate decreed that your newly- founded Republic 
should be cemented with the blood of aristocrats. 

Giles. 
Down with aristocrats! Down with tyrants 
everywhere ! 

Tallyrand. 
Yes, I know your idea of liberty! Down with 
aristocrats ! Down with everybody — who is in your 
way! 

Giles. 
rU tell you one thing, Citizen Tallyrand, and I'll 
tell it to you nozv. There are some damned aristo- 
crats in this country that'll get the same treatment 
your king got if they don't go careful. 

Tallyrand. 
Who helped you win your freedom? The king 
of France. 

Giles. 
Well, we ain't goin' t' have any kings in this 
country. 

Tallyrand. 
Who desires to be king? 

Giles. 
[Fiercely.] George Washington does. 

Monroe. 
And Alexander Hamilton wants to be Prime 
Minister! Wants to be? He is Prime Minister 
this very minute. Prime Minister of America ! 
Huh! 

[^3; this time everybody in the room is listen- 
ing. 



HAMILTON IS 

Jl^FFERSON, 

[Conciliatory.] I assure you, Citizen Tallyrand, 
Citizen Giles and Citizen Monroe voice the senti- 
ments of the great body of the American people. 
[Murmurs of assent from the crowd.] There is a 
growing unrest all over this land at the aristocratic 
tendencies of our President. There is bitter and 
righteous opposition to Alexander Hamilton's ef- 
forts to centralize the government and assume the 
debts of the thirteen free and independent states. 
Such a centralization of power would inevitably lead 
to monarchy. I stand on the platform of the 
Rights of Man — the rights of the individual — the 
right of each state to its freedom. And I tell you, 
Citizen Tallyrand, the gravest danger that threatens 
America to-day rests in the persons of those men 
who are striving to centralize the power of the 
United States; striving to establish a military 
dictatorship. 

[Approval from crowd at table r. One man 
strikes the table to emphasize his agree- 
ment. 

Monroe. 

A condition that w^ill involve us in European 
quarrels in which it should be our policy to take no 
part. 

Tallyrand. 

How can you keep out of European quarrels when 
your interests are bound up with those of Europe? 

Monroe. 
Our riches and resources can bid defiance to any 
power on earth. It is only when our rights are 
invaded that we should make preparation for our 
defense. 



1 6 HAMILTON 

Tallyrand. 
[With a shrug.] Yes, and then it will be per- 
haps too late. 

Jefferson. 

Citizen Tallyrand, I look for the day when during 
the rage of eternal wars in Europe, the lion and the 
lamb within our regions shall lie down together in 
peace. 

Tallyrand.- 
[Down beside Jefferson.] Yes, they would lie 
down together — until the lion feel hungry, then he 
would get up and eat the lamb. 

[Laughter from crowd: 

Monroe. 

Against this tendency toward centralization, we 
who love the freedom of our own state will fight to 
the death. 

Tallyrand. 

[Moving to c] Yes, thirteen jealous states all 
working against each other. How are you going to 
pay your debts without a central government ? You 
have no credit abroad. Your paper is not worth 
five cents on the dollar. Why don't you pay the 
men who furnished you supplies for your war? 
Why don't you pay the soldiers who gained you that 
liberty that you love so dearly? 

Giles. 
Damn the soldiers. This country's goin' to put a 
stop to Washington's coddling of the army. 

Tallyrand. 
[Advancing a little to Giles.] It was the soldiers 
who won you your precious freedom. 



HAMILTON 17 

Monroe. 
Well, Virginia's paid her soldiers. 

Tallyrand. 
[Coming down on Monroe's leveL] Has South 
Carolina? Has Rhode Island? 

Monroe. 
That's no affair of Virginia. 

Giles. 
No, sir. 

Tallyrand. 

Why not ? Did not the soldiers of Rhode Island 
help Virginia to her liberty? Each one fought for 
the common good. Each one should be paid. 

Jefferson. 
By that, Citizen Tallyrand, I understand you to 
mean that the government should assume the war 
debts of all the states. 

Tallyrand. 
Those debts were the price of your hberty. If 
you have a government, it should pay the country's 
debts. 

Jefferson. 
Citizen Tallyrand, you are simply speaking from 
Alexander Hamilton's platform. You are an aristo- 
crat. [Some of the crowd agree with this, 

Monroe. 
So's Hamilton. 

[Tallyrand shrugs his shoulders and moves 
to R. c. 



1 8 HAMILTON 

Jefferson. 
As such you cannot possibly understand the love 
of liberty that burns in the heart of every loyal 
American. [Rising and coming to Tallyrand.] 
This attempt by Alexander Hamilton to compel the 
central government to assume the debts of the 
thirteen states is merely a trick, a manoeuvre, to give 
greater power to that central body and to ruthlessly 
crush the freedom of the states. We, as Vir- 
ginians, love Virginia. Her freedom We 

will fight for her freedom 

[Moves back to his chair. 

Tallyrand. 
[Coming toward him.] Fight! Mon Dieu! 
Where were you when Alexander Hamilton stormed 
the redoubts at Yorktown ? 

Jefferson. 

As you know, Citizen Tallyrand, I am not a 
soldier. [Sits, 

Giles. 

[Winking at Monroe.] Jefferson has never been 
a fighter, you know, Citizen Tallyrand. 

Tallyrand. 
[c] Citizen! Citizen! Citizen! You prate 
and boast about the rights of man, and sneer at 
Alexander Hamilton as an aristocrat. Have any of 
you worked for the Rights of Man as he has? 
When it was an affair of fighting for your liberty, 
he fought. At the age of nineteen — twenty years, 
he had risen to be Colonel and was leading the 
victorious charge at Yorktown. At the hour when 
your liberty was assured he lay down his arms and 



HAMILTON 19 

commenced to make a nation of you. I tell you I 
have known all the great men of my time — Pitt, 
Fox, Washington, — and of them all it is my boast 
that I know Alexander Hamilton. Adieu ! 

\He sweeps out, l. u. e. to the street. During 
the following dialogue there is general 
movement and talking amongst the crowd; 
some laugh tolerantly, others shake their 
heads in doubt. The First Man rises 
and bowing to the man he has been talk- 
ing to, crosses to the man at the fireplace 
who is reading the paper, has a few 
zuords with him and then exits up R. 
The man he has been speaking to, down R., 
rises and is joined by the man who has 
been sitting on the other side of the table, 
R. ; they take arms and stroll out up l., 
chatting as they go. One of the Quakers 
goes into the street l. and the other comes 
to c. and watches the men who are playing 
chess; he afterwards sits in the upper cor- 
ner of settle L. of fireplace. Reynolds 
strolls up and takes down a pipe from 
mantel. He chats a moment with a soldier 
who is sitting l. of table r. The man who 
was reading the paper goes off r., leaving 
the paper on settle. 

Giles. 
Why, the crazy 

Jefferson. 
Hush ! He's right, friend, he's right. Hamilton 
is a great man, but his energies are misdirected. 

[Rises and moves to c. 



20 HAMILTON 

Giles. 
Great man ! Why, he ain't got half the following 
you have ! 

Monroe. 
That infernal French aristocrat has put the whole 
thing in a nutshell. Hamilton and Washington are 
working against the interests of the individual. 
They're working against us. 

[During this Melissa enters from r. with a 
glass of Madeira, puts it on table l. and 
then crossing over to post r. c. she hangs a 
card on it. It is a notice of a ship's sailing. 
Reynolds has some business of flirting with 
her. He slips his arm through hers — she 
resents and exits l. 2 e. Reynolds goes 
off up r. 

Jefferson. 
Come, come, we mustn't say that 

Monroe. 
Well, it's true ! 

Jefferson. 
That may be, but 

Giles. 
Well, what you goin' t' do about it ! 

Jefferson. 
[To Melissa.] Ah, thank you, my dear. [He 
and Monroe drink. As they drink Reynolds flirts 
with Melissa ; see above. 1 Citizen Monroe, I came 
in the hope of finding you here this morning be- 
cause I have decided that it is necessary that you 



HAMILTON 21 

and I should make a friendly call upon Alexander 

Hamilton. 

[During dialogue the izvo men who have been 
playing chess rise and considt the card 
Melissa has hung up. One of them makes 
some notes; they exchange a few words, 
bow to each other and go off R. and l. 
The Quaker remains on settle l. of fire- 
place reading from a small book. 

Monroe. 
A friendly call ! 

Jefferson. 
To conciliate him. 

Monroe. 

With what object? 

Jefferson. 

We need his cooperation. [Sits again.] The 
decision of the location of the Capital of the United 
States is now a matter of urgent necessity. It is 
vitally necessary that we should secure the Capital 
for the South, where our influence is paramount. 

Monroe. 
Don't see any need to worry about that. The 
North hasn't got any chance anyway. Why, Wash- 
ington's a Virginian — if he is under Alexander 
Hamilton's thumb. 

Giles. 

[Rising. ] George Washington ain't got a damned 
bit of loyalty in him ! 



22 HAMILTON 

Jefferson. 
Come, come! I cannot discuss this matter with 
you, Citizen Giles, unless you refrain from in- 
vective. 

Giles. 

Well — he's a Virginian, and yet he is just as in- 
terested in New York and Massachusetts as he is in 
Virginia. It makes me sick. 

\A soldier who has been sitting l. of table R. 
rises and goes off up r. smiling. 

Monroe. 
The Capital of the United States doesn't go to the 
North as long as James Monroe has a fight in him. 

Jefferson. 
Let us consider our own position. Hamilton is 
straining every nerve to pass through Congress his 
Bill for the Government Assumption of States' 
Debts. 

[Reynolds appears at door up r. smoking a 
pipe. He leans against door a minute, then 
comes to post r. c. and pretends to be read- 
ing the card while he listens. 
Giles. 
It's an outrage. Let every state pay its own 
debts. 

Monroe. 

Well, we're blocking that bill, and will continue 
to block it to the last ditch. 

[Giles sits back of table l. 

Jefferson. 
Without our cooperation — which we cannot pos- 
sibly extend — his bill cannot go through. 



HAMILTON 23 

Monroe. 
Then what's the use of us going to ask favors of 
him when he knows perfectly well that we are the 
most active opponents of his bill? 

Giles. 
I say, fight him. 

Monroe. 
I believe you're right, Giles, fight him! 

Jefferson. 

[Coming toward table l.] Come, come, Monroe, 
more flies may be caught with a dish of molasses 
than with a sea of vinegar. You know you've set 
your heart on being appointed Minister to France. 

Monroe. 
I have. 

Jefferson. 

Hamilton's word will go a long way with Wash- 
ington. [Reynolds turns his head slightly tozvard 
them, then picking up paper sits on seat r. of fire- 
place and reads, removing his hat, which he places 
beside him.] Come, we'll make a friendly call. 

Giles. 
Hamilton will fight tooth and nail to have the 
Capital in New York. 

Jefferson. 
That may be. Hamilton is a New Yorker. 

Giles. 

[Sneers,] Is he? He comes from God knows 
where. 



24 HAMILTON 

Jefferson. 
Sh— sh ! 

Giles. 

A bastard, born in the 

[Monroe and ]e¥ferson protest ; Jefferson 
rises, 

Monroe. 

We don't need to discuss his arrival into the 
world, Giles. I am far more interested in his re- 
moval. 

[Reynolds iurfis chair in front of kim and 
puts his feet on it. 

Jefferson. 

[Moving to c] We must be prepared for his 
opposition to the South — — 

Monroe. 
It will be a lasting disgrace to this country if 
the Capital is not in Virginia. 

Jefferson. 
Too remote, Monroe. You see we've no post- 
roads. Inaccessible from New England. 

Giles. 
Damn it! Ain't you workin' for Virginia? 

Jefferson. 
I'm afraid we cannot hope for Virginia. I be- 
lieve, though, if we go carefully, there is a chance 
of getting it for the South. 

Monroe. 
Where? 



HAMILTON 25 

Jefferson. 
On the Potomac. 

Giles. 

Well, that's a damned sight better'n New York. 

Jefferson. 
[Coining back to iable.] Come, we will call on 
Hamilton this evening — a friendly call — after sup- 
per, perhaps. But remember we must steer clear 
of any mention of his Bill for the Government 
Assumption of States' Debts. 

Monroe. 
It doesn't suit me to go begging to Hamilton. 

Giles. 

He's got the President wound round his little 
finger. 

Monroe. 

And the people trust him. 

Giles. 
Shake the people's faith in him, that's the thing. 
[Reynolds lowers his paper a moment. 

Jefferson. 
He's honest, Giles. We've tested his honesty. 

Monroe. 
Yes, the Anti-Federalists have attacked his hon- 
esty as Secretary of the Treasury from every pos- 
sible angle, and he's always beaten us. 

Giles. 
We ain't used up our whole bag o' tricks yet, not 
by a damned sight. 



26 HAMILTON 

Jefferson. 

\W\ih a slight look of disapproval at Giles.] 
Then, Citizen Monroe, we will meet here this even- 
ing at nine. [Monroe 7'ises.] We will make a late 
call on Hamilton, as I wish our visit to be regarded 
scarcely as one relating to business. 

[He goes up to street door l. 

Giles. 
[Scratching chin.] If we could only make the 
people believe that Hamilton, the Secretary of the 
Treasury, ain't playin' fair with the gate-money — 
why, we'd have the hull country in our pockets. 

[Reynolds can he observed listening. Enter 
Schuyler from parlor l. 2 e., followed by 
Melissa. At sound of Schuyler's voice, 
Giles rises and crossing to table r. puts 
his foot up on a chair and thinks. 

Schuyler. 
I think ril be hobbling off, Melissa. My regards 
to your father. 

[Melissa crosses Schuyler to chess-board 
at fireplace. 

Jefferson. 

Good-day to you. Citizen Schuyler. 

[Returning from street door. 

Schuyler. 
[At post L. of fireplace.] Howdy do, Mr. Jeffer- 
son. Howdy do, Senator Monroe. 

Jefferson. 
And how's the gout ? 



HAMILTON 27 

Schuyler. 

Well, it's \Gcts a twinge.] Oh — I can't 

tell you in the presence of this young lady. 

[Melissa, taking pipes off chess-table, moves 
over to table r., picks up some jugs and 
exits lip R. 

Monroe. 
[Coming up l.] We were just talking about your 
son-in-law, Alexander Hamilton. 

Schuyler. 
[With a grunt.'] Ah ! That doesn't surprise me. 

Jefferson. 
Mrs. Hamilton is not back from England yet? 

Schuyler. 
No, Betsy's not back yet. 

Jefferson. 

I understand she went over to see your other 
daughter who was sick. I trust she is better. 

Schuyler. 
Yes, she's all right now, thank God ! 

Monroe. 
Mr. Jefferson and I propose to drop in and see 
Alexander Hamilton to-night. 

Jefferson. 
I hope that he is well. 

Schuyler. 
Yes, he's as well as you fellows will let him be. 



28 HAMILTON 

Monroe. 
\A step iozvard him angrily. '\ What do you mean 
by that, General Schuyler? 

Schuyler. 
[Responding with anger,] You know what I 
mean. [Monroe goes up to street door l. 

Jefferson^ 
[Between them and laughing.] Come, come, do 
not let us quarrel. We're coming in to have a little 
chat wirh Citizen Hamilton concerning the location 
of the Capital. [ Schuyler looks interested. ] Citi- 
zen Schuyler, I bid you good-day, sir. Good-day to 
you. Citizen Giles. 

Monroe. 
Good-day. 

Giles. 
Good-day. [Exit Jefferson and Monroe to l. 
through street door.] Give my love to Alexander. 

[Grins. 

Schuyler. 
[Looks after Jefferson and Monroe and then at 
Giles.] You're cooking something for him be- 
tween you, and you're the chief stoker. 

Giles. 
Fm a fighter, if that's what you mean. 

Schuyler. 
Yes, you're a fighter, but a damned poor sports- 
man. When your party wants to circulate any 
damnable insinuations about Alexander Hamilton, 
they go to Giles of Virginia and he does the dirty 



HAMILTON 29 

work. [Giles iurns.\ Because you and your gang 
know that Alexander has the confidence of the peo- 
ple and that he means to make the government 
assume the states' debts, you are forever trying to 
trip him up — shouting corruption in the Treasury, 
dishonesty in the Treasury, and God knows what. 
\Moving toward l. and turning again.] I don't say 
who's the author of the accusations. I don't say 
it's Tom Jeiferson or Senator Monroe, but I know 
where to put my hand on the man who does the 
dirty work. [Giles crosses angrily toward him.] 
Yes, you're a fighter, but you know only one knock- 
out blow, and that's the one below the belt. You 
needn't glare at me. I wouldn't soil my hands with 
you, but this is one of the times when I wish I had 
gout anywhere but in my foot. 

[Exit Schuyler l. to street, Giles thinks 
hard and looks ugly, then laughs and comes 
down to R. of table l. and drinks. 

Reynolds. 

[Who has been listening and enjoying the row, 
says meditatively.] Shake the people's faith in him. 

[Curtain warning. 

Giles. 
[Turning to him.] What d'you say? 

Reynolds. 
[Smiling.] Shake the people's faith in him. 

Giles. 
You've been listening, eh ? 



30 HAMILTON 

Reynolds. 
Well, that's the only way I get a living, Mr. 
Giles — keeping my ears open. 

[Picking up his hat from beside him. 

Giles. 
Well, keep your mouth shut. 

[Sits R. of table l. atid chews a toothpick. 

Reynolds. 
[Rising and coming to c. slowly, laughing-] 
Pretty hard job to shake the people's faith in Alex- 
ander Hamilton, ain't it? 

Giles. 
Mind your own damn business. 

Reynolds. 
[Laughs and crosses to chair back of table l. ; 
puts his hat down on table. ] You've tried to prove 
him incompetent; you've tried to prove him dis- 
honest ; but there's one thing you haven't tried, Mr. 
Giles. [Back of table. 

Giles. 
[Turning away from him.] Go to the devil. 

Reynolds. 
And it's strange you haven't thought of it. How 
about a woman? 

[Giles is silent a moment. Rolls toothpick 
around in his mouth, spits it out, replaces it 
with another, and then looks at Reynolds. 

Giles. 
^You*re a little gentleman, ain't yer, Reynolds? 



HAMILTON 31 

Reynolds. 

Women are the deuce for tangling up a man's 
finances. 

Giles. 
You know all about it, don't you ?. 

Reynolds. 
Yes, I know a good deal about women. Fm mar- 
ried, you know. 

Giles. 
Yes, I know. 

Reynolds. 
I know a good deal about men, too. Now Mrs. 
Hamilton is away, been away a long time in Eng- 
land. Now, what do you say 

Giles. 
\T liming away.\ I don't want any advice from 
you. Besides, as you know so much, you know that 
Hamilton hardly ever leaves his house. 

Reynolds. 
Makes it all the easier. Send the woman to the 
house. 

Giles. 
[Looking in front of him.] What the devil do 
you mean? 

Reynolds. 
It's a matter of choosing the right woman and the 
right moment. [Puts down pipe and leans for- 
ward.] You've seen Mrs. Reynolds, haven't you? 



32 HAMILTON 

Giles. 



Your wife? 
Yes. 



Reynolds. 



Giles. 
[Titrning squarely toward him,] God, you're a 
bad 'un, ain't you? 

Reynolds.. 
[Leaning back and smiling.] I'm what may be 
called a soldier of fortune, Mr. Giles. 

Giles. 
You come in on the blackmailing end of the game, 
eh? You'd do any damned thing for a ten dollar 
piece, wouldn't you ? 

Reynolds. 
Yes, I'm afraid my price is a little lower than 
yours, Mr. Giles. [Leans forward again.] You 
might see Mrs. Reynolds. She's a nice little thing. 
I'm very fond of her, but she's too good for me. 

Giles. 
[Looking in front of him again.] Oh ! 

Reynolds. 
Yes, it's the clothes, you know, that cause the 
trouble. She must have pretty clothes. She's 

young, you see. She [Noticing that Giles is 

interested he takes a pen and writes on a slip of 
paper, rises and puts the paper on Giles' knee.] 
That's our address, Mr. Giles. 

[Reynolds, picking up his hat, moves tozvard 
door L. 2 e. 



HAMILTON- 33 

Giles. 
She be at home now ? [Looking at paper. 

Reynolds. 
[Smilmg and coming back a step.] Yes, I think 
so. You've seen her with me, haven't you ? 

Giles. 
Yes. 

Reynolds. 
She's a pretty little thing, ain't she ? [Giles looks 
at him sidezvays.] She's a clever little thing, too. 
Well, good-day, Mr. Giles. 

[Exit Reynolds l. 2 e. Giles remains look- 
ing at the paper, apparently thinking it 
over. He reaches for his hat, which is on 
the table beside him; rises with sudden 
determination; puts his hat on, looks again 
at the paper, then with his mind made up 
he exits quickly through the street door 
up L. 



curtain 



ACT II 

SCENE. — Living-room in the house of Alexander 
Hamilton, /p South Third Street, Philadelphia. 
Evening of the same day. It is a large room 
in a brick house of the period. Wall-paper dull 
gray, white wainscoting. Doors solid mahogany, 
white frames, with cut-glass handles. Wood- 
zvork of windows and fireplace handsomely 
carved and painted white. Room suggests dig- 
nity and comfort rather than elegance. The 
furnitvire is Chippendale. Portraits of Gen- 
eral and Mrs. Schuyler on the wall at back. 
Up stage right there is a door leading to a 
hall and street door which can be seen by 
audience. Down left a door leading to other 
part of house. Left center, at back, two long 
French windows give on to narrozv iron bal- 
cony on front of house. A third window is on 
the right up stage. Light through window sug- 
gests street lamp without. Large and small 
chairs stand about.. At left front stands a large 
carved mahogany chair. It is handsomely up- 
holstered in leather. At left centre, a large, low 
writing table with a pile of manuscript at one 
end and furnished with ink and quill pens. 
The fireplace is on the right dozvn stage. On 
mantelpiece stands a handsome wedgewood 
vase and one silver four-branch candlestick; 
above mantel a large mirror. Between fire- 
place and window up right a small square 
mahogany table against the wall. Green rep 

34 



HAMILTON 35 

and lace cnriams ai all windows. Down right 
centre facing audience a Colonial sofa. Against 
wall, centre at back, is a mahogany bookcase, 
filled with books, no doors on case; standing on 
bookcase are two two-branch silver candle- 
sticks. The two portraits are on the wall 
above. Right and left of bookcase a chair. 
In left corner up stage a handsome Colonial 
escritoire, open. Armchair in front of escri- 
toire. Against wall left and above door a 
smaller similar bookcase. Tzvo single candle- 
sticks on ditto. Armchair back of Hamilton's 
table left centre. Single chair right of table. 
Chair against wall below door down left. 
Ditto against wall below fireplace down right. 
Small chair back of sofa. 

When the curtain goes up Alexander Hamilton 
is discovered standing at right of table left 
centre, looking over a manuscript of Bill for 
Congress. He is a man of medium height, 
thirty-three years of age. He is dressed in the 
height of fashion. In spite of heat, his ruffles 
are immacidate and his stock secure. He wears 
his own hair unpowdered and tied in a queue — 
with a black ribbon. 

Enter l., Zekiel, an elderly negro serving man. 

Zekiel. 
[At door l.] 'Scuse me, Marse Ham'ton, but es 
mighty nigh nine o'clock. 

Hamilton. 
Is it, Zekiel ? 

Zekiel. 
It cut'ny am, sah. 



36 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. ' 

Well, what of it? 

Zekiel. 

[Coming toward him.] Cunnel, yo' ain' had 
scarcely no food all day, an* dad fetch me, dinnah's 
been waitin' these fo' hours. 

Hamilton. - 

Has it? Well, bring it in here. 

[Sits back of table l. c. 

Zekiel. 

Hi ! Yo' don' eat at all then, sah. Yo' jes' looks 
at it an' goes on wo'kin'. 

Hamilton. 

[Making correction on bill] I'm engaged on a 
difficult task. Uncle. 

Zekiel. 
Yo' shore mus' be, Marse Ham'ton. 

Hamilton. 
Trying to make bricks without straw. 

Zekiel. 

Bricksl That cut'ny do seem a mighty pOre sub- 
astute fer dinnah, Marse Cunnel. 

[Knock. Zekiel crosses at back toward 
door R. 

Hamilton. 
Fm still out, Zekiel. 



HAMILTON 37 

Zekiel. 

[Turning at r. c] Reckon you-all bettah be 
home, Marse Cunnel, an' quit wo'kin' fo' to-night. 

Hamilton. 

Vm out, Zekiel, Tm out. 

[Zekiel goes out R. ; half closes room-door. 
Schuyler heard. 

Schuyler. 

[Wiihotit.] What! Still out? I'll come in. 
Uncle, and wait! [Coming through hall door. 

Zekiel. 

[As Schuyler stumps in.] So he'p me, Gen'al, 
'tain' no good yo' waitin'. 

[Enter General Schuyler r., Zekiel back- 
ing in before him, trying to prevent him. 

Hamilton. 

[Who has gotten up as soon as he heard voice.] 
Why, father, I've been expecting you for hours. 
[Meeting him up r., taking his hands and 
bringing him into the room. 

Schuyler. 

Well, I called on you hours ago. [To Zekiel.] 
You black nigger, you, I don't believe he's been out 
at all ! 

Zekiel, 

[Down R. of Schuyler.] Why, he say he were 
out, and I done think he were. 



38 HAMILTON 

Hamilton, 
[l. oj Schuyler.] Uncle, I thought you knew I 
was expecting the General. 

Zekiel. 
I don' know nothin' 'cept what you tells me, so 
help me, Marse Ham'ton. 

\Shnis street door and returns, closing room 
door also. 

Hamilton. 
Tm sorry, father, but you see as Secretaiy of \he 
Treasury Tm a target for all kinds and conditions of 
people. 

[Placing the chair r. of table a little further 
out for Schuyler. 

Schuyler. 
[Sitting l. c] People who come to borrow 
money, eh ? 

Hamilton. 
[Giving Schuyler's hat to Zekiel.] Exactly. 
That's why I have to be *' out, out, out." You see 
there is still a large section of the public who re- 
gard the Treasury as a sort of savings-bank, from 
which they can withdraw money without the pre- 
liminary inconvenience of depositing it. 

[Helping Schuyler off with his cloak and 
giving it to Zekiel. 

Schuyler. 
{Having risen to take off cloak, sits again.] Well, 
the people are slow to understand. It's only the last 
few years that we've had a Treasury. 



HAMILTON 39 

Hamilton. 
[c] Yes, we have a Treasury, but we haven't 
any treasure. How's the gout? 

Schuyler. 
How do I find Colonel Hamilton? That's what 
I want to know. 

Hamilton. 
I'm perfectly well — \puis his hand across his 
eyes] but I believe I'm tired. [Crossing down l. 

Zekiel. 
[Advancing to r. c. from behind sofa.] He ain' 
had no victals sence mawnin', Gen'l. 

Hamilton. 
Ah, perhaps that's it. I believe I'm hungry. 

Schuyler. 
[Turning angrily to Zekiel.] Didn't Mrs. 
Hamilton charge you before she went away to see 
that the Colonel ate his meals regularly? 

[Hamilton^ laughing, passes tip between 
Schuyler and table, giving Schuyler an 
affectionate shake as he passes, then puts 
away papers. 

Zekiel. 
Yes, sah, Mis' Betsy she charge me, but 'fo' Gawd, 
Marse Schuylah, I cain' get him to eat scarcely a 
mouf'ful. 

Schuyler. 
So that's the way you look after your master, 
is it? 



40 HAMILTON 

Zekiel. 
Sometimes, GenM, yo' kin tak' an' lead a mule up 
to de troflf — [Hamilton, lying up papers, protests, 
laughingly] but eff he tak' it into his haid not to 
drink — wall — yo' cain' do nothin' 'bout it. 

Hamilton. 
Uncle, you never said a word about drink. 
You've been worrying me to -eat all day. [To 
Schuyler.] What do you think I've been doing, 
father? 

Schuyler. 

The Lord knows ! Everybody's work, as usual, 
I suppose. 

Hamilton. 
I've been building a National Bank. 

[Placing hand on large himdle of mami- 
script. 

Schuyler. 
Well, you can't do it on an empty stomach. 

Hamilton. 
Why not ? I'm doing it on an empty Treasury. 

[Goes tip to escritoire with papers. 

Schuyler. 
[To Zekiel, who is going toward door r.] Uncle 
Zeke, you go and get up the best supper you know 
how, and I'll see that the Colonel eats it. And a 
bottle of wine. 

[Zekiel puts cloak and hat down on chair R. 
of bookcase at back wall and brings small 
table from at wall R. and places it c. beside 
Schuyler. 



HAMILTON 41 

Hamilton. 
\Ai escritoire up l.] You'll join me in that? 

Schuyler. 
No, Fve got a milk-fed foot. 

Hamilton. 
[Laughing.] Milk for General Schuyler. 

Zekiel. 
Yassah. [Zekiel exits l. happy, 

Hamilton. 
{Sifting on edge of table l. of Schuyler.] Well, 
what news ? You saw General Washington ? 

Schuyler. 
He's in the lowest depths of depression, Alex- 
ander. 

Hamilton. 
About the financial conditions. 

Schuyler. 
He's not as young as you, you know. He was 
born to fight, — but not to fight politicians. 

Hamilton. 
Well, I'm going to do the fighting now. [Picks 
up pens.] Here's a whole new bundle of pens and 
I'm going to stick a man with every one of them. 

Schuyler. 
The opposition have half a dozen bundles to your 
one, and they poison the points. 



42 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 
That's just it. They use too many pens and so 
the poison fails to take effect. I've got them stick- 
ing all over me, and I can't even feel them. 

Schuyler. 
But Washington feels them. They're always at- 
tacking him. The latest is an accusation that he is 
drawing more salary than he is entitled to ! 

Hamilton. 
Whose work is that, Tom Paine's? 

Schuyler. 

No, the clerk of the house. But Tom Paine has 
written him a letter, too, accusing him of incom- 
petence, calling him " Treacherous in private friend- 
ship, a hypocrite in public life." 

Hamilton. 
Sounds like Tom Paine. 

Schuyler. 
And heaven knows what besides. 

Hamilton. 
Ungrateful scoundrels! 

Schuyler. 
The thing that hits him hardest is their everlast- 
ing hooting about the army. George Washington 
loves his army as he would have loved an only child. 

Hamilton. 
He has beggared himself in an attempt to meet 
the country's promise to pay. It's the old story. 



HAMILTON 43 

The greater the achievement of the man, the more 
violent his detractors. \Enter Zekiel, l., with tray 
containing chicken, bread and butter , jug of milk, 
glass, bottle of wine, wine-glass, napkin and white 
cloth on tray.^ Now they are shouting " Dictator " 
and accusing him of trying to make himself king. 
And they know it's a lie. 

[Crossing down l. angrily. 

Schuyler. 
Of course it's a lie — that's why the politicians 
glory in it. 

Hamilton. 
You can't lead the people with a lie. The truth. 
[Takes more papers from table and puts 
them away in escritoire. 

Schuyler. 
Uncle Zeke, I hope you hear your master talking 
about the value of telling the truth. It will do you 
good. 

Zekiel. 

[Having placed tray on table c] 'Fo' Gawd, 
Marse Gen'l, the only lie I evah tell is to say Marse 
Ham'ton's out when he's in — an' shorely that's a 
mighty white lie. 

Schuyler. 

For a gentleman of your color. 

Hamilton. 
Well, Zekiel, if any one calls, I'm in for to-night. 

Schuyler. 
Unless they want money out of the Treasury. 



44 HAMILTON 

Zekiel. 
[Taking chair from l. of bookcase at back and 
placing it back of table c] Very well, Marse 
Hamilton, yo's in fo' to-night. Now yo' eat that 
thar dinnah, an' I'll bring yo' mo' to follow. 

[Exit Zekiel, r., taking Schuyler's hat and 
cloak, 

Schuyler. • 
Now ! What have we here ? Chicken. 

Hamilton. 
lAt escritoire.] Ah! 

Schuyler. 
And bread and butter. Damn it, there's no pie ! 

Hamilton. 
[Coming over.] Good heavens! No pie! 

Schuyler. 
[Calling.] Zekiel! 

Hamilton. 
I'll wager he's gone to get the pie. 

Schuyler. 

Well, it doesn't seem much to go building banks 
on. 

Hamilton. 
How can I build banks without pie ! 

Schuyler. 

It's time Betsy came back. Thank God, she will 
be home next week. 



HAMILTON 45 

Hamilton. 
[Standing back of table c] Haven't you had a 
letter by the last packet ? [Knock ready. 

Schuyler. 
No. Why, Fve been on the road from Albany 
the last five days. What's wrong? 

Hamilton. 
[ Taking out letter from his breast pocket. ] Noth- 
ing wrong. But Betsy writes to say that Angelica 
isn't able to come as soon as they expected. It will 
be another month before they are here. 

[He kisses letter. 

Schuyler. 

It's a damned shame the way you've been left 

with no one to look after you. Go on and eat. 

Betsy had no sort of business to go off and leave 

you at all. I say it if she is my own daughter. 

Hamilton. 
Why, you begged and prayed of her to go. 

Schuyler. 
Well, she ought to be back. 

Hamilton. 
She's coming back. Heaven knows, I miss Betsy. 
[Puts letter on tray and sits dozvn. 

Schuyler. 
[Filming.^ President Washington leans on you 
like a child on its mother, and not a soul in this 

whole town sees to it that you have any — any 

[Fumes, 



46 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 
Any pie ! 

Schuyler. 

Eat, I say — eat! [Knock,] Now, there's some- 
body else. Hope that nigger has sense enough to 
say you're out. 

Hamilton. 
[Opening napkin.] Come on 4;hen, join me. Tm 
hungry as a hunter. [Passes milk.] There's your 
milk. 

Schuyler. 
Milk ! Bah ! [Enter Zekiel. 

Zekiel. 
[At door R., closing it behind him. Woman seen 
in hall as he enters.] Here's a poor woman at the 
door with a baby in her arms. She wants to see 
you, sah. Is yo' in or is yo' out? 

Schuyler. 
Out! 

Hamilton. 

What does she want? 

Zekiel. 

She says as how she's de wife ob one ob de 
soldiers. 

Hamilton. 
[To Schuyler.] You see — she comes to me for 
money — money out of the Treasury ! I'll see her. 
Uncle. [Schuyler objects, but Zekiel opens 
door.] Can't send her away, father. 

[Drops napkin on tray and rises and goes up 
toward door r. 



HAMILTON 47 

Schuyler. 
[Mutters. ] You can't live without food. What's 



the use ■ 



[Enter Woman with baby in her arms. She 
comes from the hall; the street door is 
closed. Zekiel half closes the room door 
and remains in the room holding the door- 
knob. Woman has a state certificate in 
her hand. 

Hamilton. 

What can I do for you? 

[Up stage centre, l. of Woman. 

Woman. 
[Coming to r. c] Are you Colonel Hamilton? 

Hamilton. 
Yes. [Pulling the chair he was sitting on.] Sit 
down. [She sits.] What is it? 

Woman. 
My husband is Zackery Whalen, sir. He fought 
in the war, sir. He's a cripple and can't work. He 
fought under you, sir. It was that winter at Valley 
Forge — his feet froze so many times, sir. He's on 
a pension, but we can't get the money. 

Hamilton. 
Can't get it from your state? 

Woman. 
We get it sometimes, but not lately at all — only 
promises, sir. You see, ours is due from Rhode 
Island. If it had been Virginia or New Hampshire, 



48 HAMILTON 

it'd been all right, because they are paying their 
men, but Rhode Island says they can't. 

[Hamilton looks toward Schuyler. 

Hamilton. 
What do you wish me to do ? 

Woman. 
I heard General Washington spoke at a meeting 
of the soldiers last night and he gave his word that 
every one would be paid, I know he will keep his 
word, sir, but we can't wait. 

Hamilton. 
\Kmdly.'\ Why did you come to me? 

Woman. 
They told me that you were Secretary of the 
Ti*easury, where all the money is. 

Hamilton. 
[Giving another hopeless look at Schuyler, who 
grunts.] I wish I could make you understand. The 
Treasury at present is only a name — an empty name. 
[Takes paper from Woman.] This is Rhode 
Island's promise to pay. Mrs. Whalen, I am trying 
to make the country keep this promise; I'm trying 
to make them pay. 

Woman. 

How long shall we have to wait, sir ? 

Hamilton. 
I don't know. Here [trying two waistcoat pockets 
before finding it] take this. 

[Gives her a coin and certificate. She wraps 
coin in certificate and puts it in her breast. 



HAMILTON 49 

Woman. 
Thank you, sir. 

\She is going but turns when he speaks, 

Hamilton. 
[Following her a step or two.'\ I can only say 
that I'll do my best to see that you are paid. You're 
hungry, aren't you? 

Woman. 
Yes, sir. 

Hamilton. 

[Takes four corners of napkin and ties chicken 
inside and hands to her.] Here, take this chicken 
and have a jolly good supper with your husband. 

Fm afraid there isn't much for the [He leans 

over and tenderly removes a corner of the shawl 
from the head of the sleeping haby,\ What's the 
baby's name? 

Woman. 

Elizabeth, sir. 

Hamilton. 

[Smiling.'] Elizabeth — is it? 

Woman, 

Yes, sir. 

Hamilton. 

[Taking jug of milk from Schuyler, who was 
about to pour some out.] The baby's name is 
Betsy, father. [Gives jug to Woman.] Milk for 
Elizabeth ! [Zekiel and Schuyler very protest- 
ing.] Zekiel, show Mrs. Whalen out. Tell your 
husband I'm fighting for the men who fought for 
me, and it's a harder struggle than we had at Valley 



50 HAMILTON 

Forge. But that I mean to win, as we won at 
Yorktown. 

[Zekiel opens room-door and also street- 
door, which he holds open. 

Woman. 
[Near room-door.] Thank you, sir. Tm sorry 
to have troubled you, but it's hard on the women. 
When the war broke out, we had to let our men go 
and proud we were of 'em — and when my husband 
came back disabled and useless, everybody took him 
by the hand and helped him. That was when the 
war was on. But now it's finished. . . . It's 
hard we can't get paid. Good-night, sir. 

[Exit Woman, r. 

Hamilton. 
[Turning to Schuyler with a groan.] The dis- 
grace of it ! The men who won our freedom left 
to starve ! 

[Moving down stage and to fireplace im- 
patiently. 

Schuyler. 
If Tom Jefferson and those damned Anti-Federal- 
ists would let your Assumption Bill go through, why, 
the soldiers would be paid. 

Hamilton. 
[Walking excitedly across to l.] Their opposi- 
tion to this bill is holding the country in the grip of 
bankruptcy. 

Schuyler. 

While Jefferson and Monroe oppose it you'll 
never get.it through. 



HAMILTON 51 

Hamilton. 
[Back of his table, picking up manuscript.] Fll 
fight for it — ril fight for it to the end. [Throwing 
down manuscript and crossing at back to r.] You 
see, father, Jefferson never smelt the smoke of 
battle. 

Schuyler. 
No. He prides himself on being a man of 
peace. All he and his flock do is to go around 
shouting '' States' Rights.'' 

Hamilton. 
Thomas Jefferson and the Rights of Man! He 
gets his followers to do the shouting while he writes 
for posterity. [Placing his chair R. of small table. 

Schuyler. 
[Grudgingly.] Yes, he writes well. 

Hamilton. 
[Standing r. c] He writes music — the music of 
well-chosen words. 

Schuyler. 
And the people listen to him. 

Hamilton. 
We all listen to Tom Jefferson's music. He's like 
the Pied Piper. He pipes and he pipes, and the 
people follow spellbound. 

Schuyler. 
He can certainly pipe. 



52 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 

Of course there is always the danger that he will 
lead them into the sea. 



Schuyler. 

Well, there's a lot of rats running after him thafd 
be all the better for drowning. 

Hamilton. 

There are always rats running up the back-stairs 
trying to nibble their way into office. 

\EnteY Zekiel from door up r. ; comes down 
to table c. 

Schuyler. 
Wouldn't be if the offices were kept clean, 

Hamilton. 

Only a strong government can keep the offices 
clean. This policy of every man for himself is 
leading the country to anarchy. [He is very angry. 

Zekiel. 

[A little alarmed.] Reckon I bettah get yo' some 
mo' suppah, Gunnel. 

[Picks up tray. Note : Betsy's letter is on 
tray. Be sure to bring it back on tray next 
time. 

Schuyler. 
Don't you get me any more of that damned milk. 



HAMILTON 53 

Zekiel. 
Mebbe Td jes' bettah fetch a little in a feedin' 
bottle, Gen'l, yah, yah ! 

\Exit Zekiel l., laughing. Hamilton laughs 
and sits r. of table c. 

Schuyler. 
When Zekiel lied to me this morning and said you 
were out, I went round to the Exchange Coifee 
House. 

Hamilton. 

To get a milk punch ? 

Schuyler. 
To look for you ! I saw several of the rats there, 
and Tm convinced they're hatching something for 
you. 

Hamilton. 
I always associate hatching with chickens, but I 
dare say rats do it. Well? 

Schuyler. 
Be on your guard. Jefferson and Monroe are 
coming to see you about the location of the Capital. 

Hamilton. 
[Unconcerned.] Oh, the Residence Bill ! [Takes 
out handkerchief.] Well, what about it? 

Schuyler. 
[Sitting back; nettled.] What about it! 

Hamilton. 
I mean where do they want the Capital ? In Jef- 
ferson's parlor, I suppose. 



54 HAMILTON 

Schuyler. 
That's just where they do want it. They want 
the Capital of the United States in the South. My 
God! 

Hamilton. 
But — excuse me. 

Schuyler. 
[Fuming.] My God! 

Hamilton. 

Is that the end of your prayer, or the beginning, 
father? 

Schuyler. 
The South ! 

Hamilton. 
Well, why not? 

Schuyler. 
Do you mean to say you'd let the Capital of the 
United States go to the Souths 

Hamilton. 
Where do you think it should be ? 

Schuyler. 
Where should it be ? Why Albany, of course ! 

Hamilton. 
[Jumping out of his chair and over to R., laughing 
heartily. ] Oh, your home town. 

Schuyler. 
The finest city on God's earth ! 



HAMILTON 55 

Hamilton. 
[Laughs.] In your parlor, I suppose. No, Gen- 
eral. Certainly not Albany. [Sits in chair again. 

Schuyler. 
[Nettled.] Oh, certainly not Albany, eh? And 
why certainly not Albany? I suppose you want it 
in New York? 

[Zekiel enters l. and crossing at back to 
door up R. exits. 

Hamilton. 
New York ? Nnn-o 

Schuyler. 
Well, in heaven's name, where do you want it ? 

Hamilton. 
Anywhere that's handy to get at. 

Schuyler. 

Well, ril be ! Haven't you any patriotism, 

man? 

Hamilton. 

I don't care where the Capital is, or whether it's 
built of marble or whether it's made of wood, so 
long as we get the right men inside — to restore 
law and order to this limping, half-starved govern- 
ment. 

Schuyler. 

Alexander 

Hamilton. 

[Pulling his chair around to face Schuyler and 
anticipating amusement.] What are the reasons 
why the Capital should be in the North ? 



56 HAMILTON 

Schuyler. 

Why! All the traditions connected with our 
struggle for independence cluster about the North. 

Hamilton. 

[Ticking it off on his fingers.] There's some 
truth in that. 

Schuyler, 

It was here in Philadelphia that the Declaration 
of Independence was signed. 

Hamilton. 
[Checking on fingers.] So it was. 

Schuyler. 
It was in New York that Washington took the 
oath of office. [Hamilton checks.] In New York 
the government had its beginning. Why, Albany 
commands the commerce of the four corners of the 
earth. 

Hamilton. 
[Checking.] Hummm! 

Schuyler. 

And — and there's not a damned bit of reason why 
the South should have it anyway. 

Hamilton. 

But if the North has all the glory of the traditions 
of the past, isn't it a good reason why the South 
should be glorified with the hopes of the future ? 

Schuyler. 
No! . . . [Hamilton rises. 



HAMILTON 57 

Hamilton. 
Hasn't the South, at any rate, as much claim as 
the North ? 

Schuyler. 
No! . . . \Enter Zekiel, r. 

Hamilton. 
General, your argument is 

Zekiel. 
Secatary Jeff'son and Sentah Monroe callin' to 
see yo', sir. Reckon you's out ? 

Hamilton. 
I reckon Tm in, Zekiel. 

Schuyler. 

\Ris%ng.\ Now, here they come to talk to you 
about the Capital, and you're going to concede it 
without a struggle. 

Hamilton. 

[Coming to him.] Father, you're the best friend 
I have in the world, but I daren't trust you in a 
matter of diplomacy. That's no reflection on your 
intelHgence because, you know, diplomacy is fre- 
quently only one-eighth brain [tapping him on the 
forehead] and seven-eighths the way you use it. 
I'm going to send you out onto that balcony to cool 
down. [Going up toward c. window. 

Zekiel. 
I jes' got some mo' suppah ready to brung up. 

Schuyler. 
[Getting above centre table.] Well, bring it in, 
Zekiel, and the country be hanged. 



58 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 

\Com%ng down r. of Schuyler and taking his 
arm.] Father, I wonder if they feel as strongly as 
you do about the location of the Capital. 

Schuyler. 

[Raising his hand to strike the small table and 
breaking out.] Why, any man with an ounce 

of 

Hamilton. 

Out in the cool air, father. [Pushes him on to the 
balcony.] Oh, General, I've noticed that there some- 
times comes a moment in diplomatic conferences 
when a little diversion is most valuable. Should I 
call for you, come in [Schuyler grunts] — and 
look pleasant. Til see them, Zekiel. [Zekiel exits 
R. Hamilton goes to his table and picking up 
manuscript of his bill returns to window and calls.] 
Father, if I could only get hold of Jefferson and 
Monroe ! 

Schuyler. 

To back your Assumption Bill? 

Hamilton. 
Yes. 

Schuyler. 

H you could only get hold of the moon ! 

[He goes out, closing the windows. Hamil- 
ton, with sudden resolution, comes down 
left of his table and is facing r. when 
Zekiel brings in Monroe and Jefferson. 
They bow to each other. Zekiel crosses 
at back to l. 



HAMILTON 59 

Zekiel. 
Sect'y Jeff'son and Sentah Monroe. 

Hamilton. 
[Bowing to them,] Mr. Jefferson. Senator 
Monroe. 

Monroe. 

[l. of Jefferson.] Howdo, Hamilton. 

Jefferson. 
[Advancing to c] Citizen Secretary, I trust we 
do not call at an inconvenient or unseasonable hour. 

Hamilton. 
Your time, gentlemen, could not have been better 
chosen. Zekiel, a bottle of wine. 

Zekiel. 
A bottle of wine and a sangwidge. Yes, sah. 

[Exit Zekiel, l. 
Jefferson. 

Mrs. Hamilton is not back yet ? 

Hamilton. 
[Getting behind chair r. of large table and indi- 
cating it to Jefferson.] No, my wife will not re- 
turn, I fear, for a month or more. Will you take 
this chair, Mr. Jefferson? [Jefferson sits r. of 
table. ] Will you take this one, Senator ? [ Monroe 
crosses and sits in large armchair.] That is the 
chair General Washington always sits in when he is 
here. [Monroe rises uncomfortably then sits again.] 
ril sit here at my desk, if you don't mind. 

[There is general constraint. 



6o HAMILTON 

Jefferson. 

You are still working even at this late hour, Citi- 
zen Hamilton? 

Hamilton. 
Oh, no. This is my recreation. 

\PMis hand on pile of manuscript, 

Monroe. - 
And what is your recreation? 

Hamilton. 
The establishment of a National Bank. 

Monroe. 
It's not constitutional. 

Hamilton. 

It will be necessary for the full development of 
my Bill for the Government Assumption of States' 
Debts. 

[Monroe and Jefferson cough uncomfort- 
ably. Jefferson is bland. 

Jefferson. 
A very charming room you have here. 

Hamilton. 
Very charming. 

Monroe. 
Devilish hot, though. 

Hamilton. 
Allow me to open this window. [Going to bal- 
cony window.] I should mention that General 
Schuyler is on the balcony, if our business is private. 



HAMILTON 6l 

Jefferson. 
No, no, not in the least. Pray consider our visit 
as quite informal. [Hamilton opens window, 

Monroe. 
We came to have a little friendly chat with you. 

Hamilton. 
[Returning to table.] Gentlemen, I am indeed 
relieved to find that you have come in this friendly 
spirit. It gives me courage to approach you in a 
perfectly friendly way on a very urgent matter. 

[Jefferson catches Monroe's eye, 

Jefferson. 
I trust it may be within our power to be of use 
to you. 

Monroe. 
Without sacrificing the principles for which we 
stand. 

Jefferson. 
Of course. 

Hamilton. 
[Sitting back of table.] President Washington is 
deeply concerned at the country's neglect to pay its 
debts — the debts incurred during the war. 

Monroe. 

You mean the neglect of certain states to pay 
their debts ? 

Hamilton. 
I mean the neglect of the nation. 

Monroe. 
Virginia has paid every cent she owes. 



62 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 

That saves the honor of Virginia, but not the 
honor of the nation. Gentlemen, my Bill provides 
that these debts shall be assumed by the central gov- 
ernment. Why do you continue to oppose it? All 
I need is the support of Thomas Jefferson and 
James Monroe. 

Jefferson. . 

What you suggest v^ould be making Virginia help 
to pay the debt of South Carolina. 

Monroe. 

And South Carolina has three times the debt of 
Virginia. 

Hamilton. 

\To Monroe.] Incurred in gaining Virginia her 
freedom. Gentlemen, if the interests of the thir- 
teen states continue to clash, there is no hope of 
established independence. I appeal to you both, as 
patriots, not to squander the time of the country by 
the discussion of party interests. We are builders 
of a nation ; let us build strongly, let us build on the 
foundation stone of honor. The nations of the 
world are watching us. Let them sneer at our 
youth, let them sneer at our poverty, but let them 
never cast a slur upon our honesty. 

Jefferson. 
You plead merely for the honor of the nation: I 
plead also for the rights of the individual. 

Monroe. 

Do you realize that the rights of the people are 
at stake ? 



HAMILTON 63 

Hamilton. 

\To Monroe.] The right of the people is the 

right to cast aside personal interests for the greater 

good of the nation. The only safety for any people 

is in a government that can command the respect of 

the world. [Striking the table, 

Monroe. 

[Angrily. \ You mean a Monarchy? 

Hamilton. 
I mean a Republic. 

Monroe. 
[Rising, coming to l. corner of table and pound- 
ing it.'\ George Washington is trying to set up a 
Monarchy and make himself King. 

[Returning to Washington's chair. He gives 
it a vicious push with his knee and crosses 
to R. 

Hamilton. 

[Risiitg and crossing to r. with Monroe.] Take 

this chair. I think you'll be more comfortable. 

[Gives Monroe another chair from back of 

sofa. It is a hard uncomfortable looking 

little chair. He places it in front of sofa. 

Monroe. 
[Ignoring the chair.] Suppose the government 
should pay the states' debts, the men who lent the 
money wouldn't get it. [Hamilton about to inter- 
rupt.] You know as well as I do that the patriots 
who put up the money to carry on the war have 
long ago given up all hope of ever being paid by the 
bankrupt states. 



64 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 
That is exactly 



Monroe. 

Their claims have passed into other hands, sold 
for a song. 

Hamilton. 

[c] But the claims remain— and a promise to 
pay is a promise to pay. 

Jefferson. 
[Rising and with firmness.] Citizen Hamilton, I 
am pledged to the people. 

Monroe. 

We cannot pick the pockets of the man who 
trusts us in order to pay another man's debts. 

Hamilton. 
Gentlemen, this is repudiation — the last stage of 
national humiliation. 

Jefferson. 
I have tried to see your point of view. Citizen 
Monroe has tried to see it. 

Monroe. 
Yes, I've tried. 

[Turning away to R., impatiently. 

Jefferson. 

You have appealed to Congress many times, and 
have always been defeated. 



HAMILTON 65 

Hamilton. 
The last time by a majority of two. 

Jefferson. 
The majority was small, it is true — \wiih a touch 
of courtliness] mainly owing, I fear, to the eloquence 
of your address, Citizen Hamilton. 

Hamilton. 
[Responding with a profound bow.] From 
Thomas Jefiferson that is indeed praise. But I fear 
my eloquence has interfered with our friendly chat, 
and that was really what you came for. 

[Turning to Monroe. 

Jefferson. 
Some other time [About to turn up stage, 

Monroe. 
Well, Jefferson, time is short 



Jefferson. 
This discussion having arisen, I find myself dif- 
fident in seeking your cooperation on another matter, 

Hamilton. 
Gentlemen, I beg that you will not deprive me of 
so great a privilege — pray sit down again. [They 
sit.] You are sure you are comfortable in that 
chair, Mr. Monroe ? 

Monroe. 
[Seated in front of sofa.] Yes, thank you. I 
was never made to occupy a throne. 



66 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 
[About to respond but controls himself and sitting 
in chair r. of small table c] Gentlemen, I am at 
your service. 

Jefferson. 
[Seated again in chair between tables.^ You 
know that the Residence Bill must be voted on with- 
out further delay. 

Hamilton. 
I understand that immediate decision is necessary. 

Jefferson. 
I will not disguise from you that I consider the 
geographical position of the Capital a very vital 
matter. 

[Schuyler appears on balcony at back, com- 
ing from l. He stops a moment at the 
open window, catches what they are talk- 
ing about, nods his head and disappears 
to r. 

Hamilton. 
Undoubtedly. 

Jefferson. 
And we do not underrate your influence, not only 
with the President but with Congress, in arriving 
at a decision. 

Hamilton. 
That decision, gentlemen, is a very grave and 
serious matter. 

Monroe. 
It certainly is. 



HAMILTON 67 

Hamilton. 

But I think we ought to find no difficulty in reach- 
ing an agreement. 

Monroe. 
Now, that's talking sense. 

[Schuyler returns and lingers in front of 
open window with his ear obviously turned 
to catch the conversation. He is not seen 
by the others. 

Jefferson. 

I am pleased to find that you are willing to meet 
us in the matter. 

Hamilton. 
We should have no difficulty, because, to me — and 
surely to all who have gone into the matter as deeply 
and seriously as we have — there can be only one 
possible location for the Capital. 

Monroe. 
And that is ? 

Hamilton. 

Albany. [A distinct ejaculation is heard from 
Schuyler outside. He disappears to l.] Excuse 
me. I thought I heard my father-in-law calling, ^ 
[Goes to window and closes it. 

Jefferson. 
Albany ! 

Monroe. 
That old Dutch town ! 

Jefferson. 
And why Albany? 



68 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 

[Returning to c. behind small table.] Because 

[or at or ic ally ; imitating Schuyler] it commands 

the commerce of the four corners of the earth. 

[Schuyler is seen moving outside. He 

opens the other window, the one nearest 

the L., and is radiant. 

Jefferson. " 
But I fear you do not consider 

Hamilton. 
I know much may be said in favor of New York 
and Philadelphia — but 

Monroe. 
You talk as if Albany, New York, and Philadel- 
phia were the only places in the Union, sir. 

Hamilton. 
[Surprised.] Had you any other place in mind? 

Monroe. 
Hasn't the South as much claim as the North ? 

Hamilton. 
Certainly not, sir. The South could not possibly 
be considered. 

Jefferson. 
Why not, sir? 

Monroe. 
What's your reason for the North, except you're 
a Northerner yourself? 



HAMILTON 69 

Hamilton. 
\Oraionca\ly,\ Why, gentlemen \pulh chair r. 
of small table to hack of small table and comes to R. 
of small table], all the great events connected with 
our glorious struggle for independence cluster about 
the North. [Schuyler's face expresses amaze- 
ment and delight. Hamilton lightly touches his 
fingers, as he enumerates the following.] It was 
here in this city — in Philadelphia — that was signed 
that immortal document from your hand, Mr. Jef- 
ferson — the Declaration of Independence. 



Monroe. 
What's that got to do with it ? 



Hamilton. 

It was in New York that Washington took his 
oath of office. [Schuyler gives great signs of ap- 
proval.] It was there that the government had its 
beginning, and — and — there's not a — there's no rea- 
son on earth why the South should have it anyway. 
[All this spoken with great conviction. 
Schuyler, in great delight, exits to r., re- 
maining between windows. 

Monroe. 
[Rising and going r.] The South will make a 
damned good fight for it. 

Jefferson. 
[Rising. ] Is that your final word, Mr. Hamilton ? 

Hamilton. 
My decision in this matter, Mr. Jefferson, is just 
as irrevocable as that of yours and Senator Monroe 



70 HAMILTON 

regarding my bill. [Monroe and Jefferson ex- 
change a glance zvhich Hamilton observes.] You'll 
excuse me. Tm sure I heard the General calling. 
[Going to window c] I'm afraid of the night 
air for your gout, father-in-law. You'd better be 
getting home. 

[Enter Schuyler. Jefferson moves away 
toward l., thinking. 

Schuyler. 
Good-evening, gentlemen. 

[ With a profound bow and greatly pleased. 

Jefferson. 
Good-evening, Citizen Schuyler. 

Monroe. 
Good-evening. 

Schuyler. 

[Passing across toward door up R.] I won't in- 
terrupt you. I'll just toddle along. 

Hamilton. 
[Following and laughing.] Toddle? With that 
foot ? 

Schuyler. 
[Throwing open the door up r.] The foot's bet- 
ter, Alexander. Good-night, gentlemen. 

Hamilton. 

Excuse me while I see the General to the door. 
[They go off 'up r. Hamilton closes the 
door after him. 



HAMILTON 71 

Jefferson. 
[Coming toward c] What do you make of that 
last remark of his — as irrevocable as our decision 
regarding his bill? 

Monroe, 
[r. c] Sounds like an invitation to strike a 
bargain. 

Jefferson. 
Is it worth it? 

Monroe. 

We can't do without him, damn him. 

Jefferson. 
Shall we support his bill in return for the Capital ? 

Monroe. 
It's worth anything to get the Capital away from 
the North. 

Jefferson. 
It will be hard to explain this change of front to 
the people. I've said so much about State Rights. 

Monroe. 
You can make some excuse. 

Jefferson. 
It will be difficult to explain away. 

Monroe. 
[Chuckling and coming to c] Tom Jefferson, 
you can explain away anything. Give you pen 
and ink and there isn't your equal for that in the 
universe. Besides, we may not have to give up a 
thing. [Moving away to R. a little. 



72 HAMILTON 

Jefferson. 
What do you mean ? 

Monroe. 

Well, Giles of Virginia has some scheme on. He 
said if Hamilton got us into a corner 

Jefferson. - 
Monroe, Giles is a rascal, and TIL not be identified 
with any of his underhand schemes. 

Monroe. 
Neither will I. I'll just leave him alone and trust 
in Providence. 

\ReenieY Hamilton door up r. ai hack. 
Monroe crosses Jefferson to i.. 

Hamilton. 
[Coming down r. of table c] Forgive me for 
leaving you, although Fm afraid, gentlemen, our 
interview is at an end. 

Jefferson. 
[Advancing a little to Hamilton.] Citizen 
Hamilton, I have been credited with being a diplo- 
matist. 

Hamilton. 
Your valued service, as Minister to France, places 
that beyond dispute, sir. 

Jefferson. 
And I find that, in settling arguments of all kinds, 
it is necessary to give and take. 



HAMILTON 73 

Hamilton. 
The best diplomatist, I presume, being the man 
who gives the least and takes the most. 

[Jefferson and Monroe laugh slightly. 

Jefferson. 
In this instance, Citizen Monroe and myself are 
prepared to give a great deal, in order that the 
Southern States shall not be overlooked. 

Monroe. 
Treated with contempt. 

Jefferson. 
With regard to the Capital, I have a proposal to 
make. [Hamilton nods his head attentively and 
comes down in front of sofa and turns to them.] 
As we cannot agree upon the selection of a city, 
why not build us a new city — clean and new and full 
of the ideals of Liberty and Fraternity ! Why choose- 
a city like Albany or Nev/ York, marred with the 
scars of the British tyrant — bristling with the 
memories of our servitude? 

Hamilton. 

Certainly an original idea. A new city. On the 
Hudson ! 

Monroe. 
[Quickly and emphatically.] No, not on the 
Hudson. 

Jefferson. 
On the Potomac — half-way between the North 
and the South ! 



74 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 

I regret to have to refuse you, Mr. Jefferson, but 
as I said my decision is irrevocable. 

[Going up stage between end of sofa and 
table c. 

Jefferson. 

I think you said as irrevocable as our decision 
regarding your bill. 

Hamilton. 
[Turning and apparently trying to recall it,\ Did 
I? I think I did. 

Jefferson. 
Suppose v^e — make — a — concession. 

Hamilton. 
[Coming back to Jefferson.] Strike a bargain, 
do you mean ? 

Jefferson. 
Well, I wouldn't care to use that w^ord, Mr. 
Hamilton. 

Hamilton. 

No? We won't use it, then. We'll call it con- 
cession. [Moves to front of sofa again, 

Jefferson. 
Suppose we pass your Bill in return for the 
Capital ? 

Hamilton. 
[With an assumption of astonishment.] Why, 
gentlemen, this is a surprising proposal. I fear I 
must have time to think it over. 

[Sits on little chair in front of sofa. 



HAMILTON 75 

Monroe. 
[Beside Jefferson.] You're a quick thinker 
when you Hke, Hamilton. [Knock ready. 

Hamilton. 
Yes, when I hke the proposal. But I am afraid 
I am getting the worst of the bargain — [Jefferson 
gives slight movement] er — concession. 

Jefferson. 
We're offering you something you've been fight- 
ing for for years. 

Hamilton. 
You will admit that yours would be the spectacular 
victory. The Capital wrested from the North ! 

Jefferson. 
I do not care for popularity. I am thinking only 
of what is best for the greatest number. 

Hamilton. 
You need my answer now ? Can you not give me 
a week to think it over? 

Monroe. 
A week ! Good Lord, Hamilton. 

Hamilton. 
Three days ! 

Monroe. 

This must be decided now. 

Hamilton. 
[Rising.] Very well, gentlemen. I agree. 



76 HAMILTON 

Monroe. 
[With alacrity.] Shall we put it in writing? 

[Going toward table L. 
Jefferson. 
I think our oral pledge will be sufficient. 

Hamilton. 
Your word is your bond. In fact I would rather 
take your word, gentlemen, than the bond of any 
state in the Union. 

[He bows to them; they laugh, Monroe 
comes over eagerly and extends his hand. 

Monroe. 
That's a bargain then. 

[Enter Zekiel, l., with tray containing 
chicken, decanter of wine and three wine- 
glasses. Knock is heard off r. He puts 
tray on table c. and exits up r., leaving door 
R. open. Note: Be sure that Betsy's 
letter is on tray. The dialogue is not in- 
terrupted by Zekiel's entrance. 

Jefferson. 
[Between them and smiling.] Really, I cannot 

permit 

Hamilton. 

Let us say, a final settlement of our difference of 
opinion. May I offer you some refreshment? 

[Going to back of c. table. Monroe to R. 

Jefferson. 
Thank you, no. Citizen Monroe will agree that 
we have already detained you too long. 

[Passing up r. of c. table toward door R. 



HAMILTON 77 

Hamilton is preceding Jefferson when 
Zekiel throws open the street door up R. 
and announces 

Zekiel. 
Coun' Tallyrand! [Enter Tallyrand. 

Tallyrand. 
[Shaking hands with Hamilton and then retir- 
ing a little on the right up stage near door.] My 
dear Hamilton — oh, a thousand pardons. I see you 
have the Citizens with you. I intrude. 

Jefferson. 

We were about to take our leave. [Shaking 
hands with Hamilton.] Good-night, Citizen Ham- 
ilton. [Passing to door.] We have already made 
our adieux to 

Tallyrand. 

[Politely.] Citizen Tallyrand. 

[Jefferson exits to street door which Zekiel 
is holding open. Zekiel hands him his 
hat. Tallyrand conies down between 
sofa and table c, dropping his hat and 
gloves on sofa; he then moves across to in 
front of sofa. 

Monroe. 

[Shaking hands with Hamilton.] Good-night, 
Hamilton. [Goes to room door and turns.] That 
was a damned good proposition of yours. 



78 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 
\At room door l. oj Monroe.] Oh, pardon me, 
gentlemen. The proposition came from you. 

Monroe. 
[ Coughing uncomfortably. ] Er — ^yes ■ 



[Takes stick and hat from Zekiel. Exit 
Monroe and Jefferson through street- 
door up r. 

Hamilton. 
[Slamming room door and coming down ex-, 
citedly, placing his hands on Tallyrand's shoul- 
ders.] Tallyrand, I needed some one to drink a 
toast with me. Here's to the government that's 
going to pay its debts. [Picking up decanter. 

Tallyrand. 
I drink to that because I Hke to drink, but drink- 
ing will not make your government pay. 

' Hamilton. 

[Pouring out two glasses.] It's going to pay! 
It's going to pay ! 

Tallyrand. 
Who is going to make it ? 

Hamilton. 
[Pointing.] Jefferson and Monroe. 

Tallyrand. 
[Astounded.] You have reformed them? 

Hamilton. 
I have — and never struck a blow. 



HAMILTON 79 

Tallyrand. 
[Taking up glass.] I drink, then, to Alexander 
Hamilton — the greatest of them all ! 

Hamilton. 

[Taking up glass.] That gives you an unfair 
advantage with the wine. If you will substitute the 
name of George Washington, I will drink with you. 

Tallyrand. 
[Shrugs shoulders.] George Washington — yes. 

Hamilton. 
[c, holding up glass.] To George Washington, 
the first American ! 

[Both are in front of small table, 

Tallyrand. 
[r. of Hamilton.] Well, I will drink anyhow. 
[They drink and put down glasses. 

Hamilton. 
[Good-humore,d.] You never did appreciate the 
greatness of my General. 

Tallyrand. 

Oh, yes, he has a great big nose. 

Hamilton. 
And a great big heart and a great big soul. 

Tallyrand. 
But the brain, it is yours. [Hamilton about to 
interrupt.] Don't let's quarrel over your General. 
I come to say good-bye. 



8o HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 
You leave by to-night's boat ? 

Tallyrand. 
Yes, or rather it sails in the early hours of the 
morning. 

Hamilton. 
Then you have plenty of tim'e. [Taking chair 
from in front of sofa and sitting r. of c. table,] Sit 
down and have supper with me. 

Tallyrand. 
[Moving away to l.] Oh, no — you Americans 
take too much food. When you are not doing 
something else, you are always sitting down to 
supper. 

Hamilton. 
Well, be a good American and sit down then. 

Tallyrand. 
[Extending hand.] No, no, I come to give you 
one last embrace. I am in haste. I must leave 
you. Adieu. [Giving him his hand. 

Hamilton. 
[Still seated.] Why not stop and gossip? Tve 
finished my work for to-night. 

Tallyrand. 
To be frank with you, I have to make my adieux 
to some — er — ladies. 

Hamilton. 
[Rising.] Oh! 



HAMILTON 8 1 

Tallyrand. 
Ah, your American girls ! I find them almost 
more irresistible than the French. 

[Enter Zekiel up r. with bottle of wine and 
two wine-glasses on tray; puts them on c. 
table. 

Hamilton. 
[Laughing.] And they're not so far away — eh? 

[Digs him in the ribs. 

Tallyrand. 
[l. c] Hamilton, you have finished your work 
for to-night. Why not come with me? If one is 
working all the day is it not right that one should 
play at night? [Coming over to Hamilton.] A 
little spree, eh ? 

Hamilton. 
[Smiling.] Why — what do you call a little spree? 
[Zekiel is back of small table and can be 
seen smiling approvingly. 

Tallyrand. 
[Shrugs.] Oh-h — a — leetle spree. You are so 
good, Hamilton, and I love you for it, but I see the 
boy leap into your eyes when I say a little spree. 

[He puts hands on Hamilton's shoulders. 
Exit Zekiel up r. at back. 

Hamilton. 
[Laughing and moving away to r.] Do you? 
By Jove, I believe I deserve it ! 

Tallyrand. 
We are all of us human — except General Wash- 
ington. 



82 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 
[Protesting. ] Tallyrand ! 

Tallyrand. 

A little spree will do you good. 

[Going quickly back of sofa and getting hat 
and gloves. 

Hamilton. 
[Crossing to table c. and picks up Betsy's letter.] 
No, I think not. I think Til stay at home. 

Tallyrand. 
Oh, yes, I know — Mrs. Hamilton is charming — 
Je Tadore, but she is away — she is away so long. 

Hamilton. 
[Coming to Tallyrand and pulling himself to- 
gether. ] No, no, no. 

Tallyrand. 
I cannot tempt you ? 

Hamilton. 
Fm afraid you might. That's why I say good- 
bye. [Takes hand.] Sail home as fast as a fair 
wind will carry you. Your genius is universal, but 
your morals are indigenous to Paris. Godspeed ! 
[They go up. Hamilton opens room door, 
Zekiel opens street door. 

Tallyrand. 

[Turning at room door. Hamilton is on his 

left.] Au Voir, dear friend. When I am in 

France and I think of America one big figure will 

come before my eyes — Alexander Hamilton ! The 



HAMILTON 83 

man who makes the fortune of a nation in order to 
get a Hving for his family. Au revoir. 

\Exit Tallyrand. 

Hamilton. 
{Waving to him.] Au revoir. Bon voyage. 
\ Conies into the room.] Bolt the door, Zekiel; 
we've had enough for to-night. [Zekiel bolts and 
chains street door, then enters room, closing room 
door. Hamilton walks to his table and picks up 
Bill. ] Victory ! Well, now, we'll go to bed, Uncle. 
{^Sitting at table l. and putting away papers. 

Zekiel. 
[At room door.] Fo' de Lawd's sake, Marse 
Cunnel, ain' yo' goin' to eat no suppah ? 

Hamilton. 
[Remembering. Shuts drawer and comes to be- 
hind table c] Supper? Yes. 

Zekiel. 
[Coming down to r. corner of table c] That's 
'bout the fourth suppah I brought in this night, and 
yo' ain' goin' t' eat it. 

Hamilton. 
I'm going to eat all that supper, and Fm going 
to finish this bottle of wine. [Picking up decanter. 

Zekiel. 
Don' yo* drink it on an empty stomach ; it'll go 
straight to yo' haid. An' dere's noder bottle ain' 
been touched, an' de corkscrew a-lyin' close 'long- 
side. 



84 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 

Zekiel, there's a conspiracy amongst you to lead 
me into temptation. \Goes up to escritoire in L. 
corner, sits, and is putting away papers.] You go 
to bed. 

Zekiel. 

Yes, Marse Hamilton. Yessah. 

[Goes up to bookcase c. at back and picking 
up an extingviishet begins to put out the 
foiir lighted candles; lights go down. 
Zekiel giggles audibly two or three times. 

Hamilton. 
What is it, Zekiel? What's the matter? 

Zekiel. 
[Giggling.] 'Scuse me, Marse Hamilton, but I 
jes' couldn't help heah what Cunnel Coun' Tally ran' 
say to yo' 'bout goin' on a little spree. 

Hamilton. 
Ah, you mustn't be shocked. Uncle. He didn't 
mean it. 

[Coming down to table l., sitting and putting 
papers away in drawers. 

Zekiel. 
Law, no, I ain' shocked! I think him right, 
Mars' Ham'ton, quite right. 

Hamilton. 
What? 

Zekiel. 

[Working to door up R. at back.] Yo'-all been 
stickin' too close to wo'k. Leetle spree do yo' sight 
ob good. 



HAMILTON 85 

Hamilton. 
Uncle! 

Zekiel. 

If I been a-wo'kin' night an' day, same's yo' been 
a-doin', reckon Td lak a leetle spree myself. 

• [Opens door r. 
Hamilton. 
Why, you black rascal, at your age ! 

Zekiel. 
Wall, sah, dat am de on'y thing 'at 'ud pavent it, 
Marse Cunnel. 

Hamilton. 

[Laughing and going quickly toward door R. ; 
shouts.] Get off to bed! X 

[Zekiel exits r. laughing; closes door, 
Hamilton laughs, walks over to table c, 
sits, looks at food, feels loneliness, feels 
heat — rises — opens window l. onto bal- 
cony. Takes out handkerchief and wipes 
brow. Returning to c. table he chuckles at 
Bill on table l. as he passes. Sits down 
behind c. table and is pouring out a glass 
of wine when there is faint knocking at 
outer door, which he hardly hears and at- 
taches no importance to. He is about to 
drink the wine when the knocking is re- 
peated louder. He puts down the glass 
and opens room-door and listens. It comes 
again. He goes out and unbolts street- 
door and opens it. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
[Outside.] Is this Mr. Alexander Hamilton's 
house ? 



86 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 
Yes, this is Mr. Hamilton's house. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Is he at home? 

Hamilton. 
Yes, he is at home. .What do you want? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
I want to see him. 

Hamilton. 
Won't it do to-morrow? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Oh, no. I must see him to-night. 

Hamilton. 
Come in. 

\EnteY Mrs. Reynolds. He closes street 
door but not room door, Mrs. Reynolds 
wears a short, white muslin dress, filmy 
and simple. It is short-waisted, and cut 
low. Over this a straight, blue cape, with 
a little hood on back. Her hair is in ring- 
lets. She looks like a szveet little school- 
girl. Her slippers are black, with zvhite 
stockings and with black ribbons crossed 
over ankle. She comes to c. above table^ 
taking in the room with a glance. Ham- 
ilton follozvs and is on her R. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
May I see him ? 

Hamilton. 
I am Mr. Hamilton. 



HAMILTON 87 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
[ Wide-eyed. ] Oh-h — are you Alexander Hamil- 
ton? I thought he was quite old. Why, you're 
young, aren't you? 

Hamilton. 
[Smiling. ] Not very young. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Why, you are. You look quite boyish. It's very 
late, isn't it? 

Hamilton. 
It is rather late for business hours. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Were you just going to bed? 

Hamilton. 
I think I was. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Oh, then I ought not to have disturbed you. 
When I got to your door I thought perhaps it might 
be too late. That's why I knocked with my 
knuckles instead of with the knocker. 

[Looking at her fingers and half holding 
them out but withdrawing them when he 
shows no particular interest, 

Hamilton. 
Yes, I wondered why you did that. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
[Smiling sweetly.] Yes, it hurt them too. It 
was mighty nice of you to let me in. 



88 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 
\Sm%lmg,\ What do you want? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
I hardly Hke to tell you. [Moving down a step, 

Hamilton. 
[A little nonplussed.] What's your name? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Reynolds — my name is. 

Hamilton. 
Reynolds ? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Yes. Fm related to the Livingstons of New 
York State. 

Hamilton. 
[Warmly.] Oh! 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Yes. I've so often heard of you from the Liv- 
ingstons. 

Hamilton. 

[Shaking hands with her.] Yes, the Livingstons 
are very old friends of mine. Won't you sit down? 
[Indicates chair r. of c. table; she sits demurely but 
with a " so far so good look " in her eye. He seats 
himself on the end of the sofa facing her.] Well 
now, what can I do for you ? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
I want money. 



HAMILTON 89 

Hamilton. 
[Astonished. ] Money ? But — why did you come 
to me? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

[Innocently,] Why, Fm an American. Fm in 
need of money. I thought it the place of the 
Secretary of the Treasury of my own country to 
help me. 

Hamilton. 

[Turning away for a moment amused,] But, my 
child, I have no money. Why don't you go to 
Robert Livingston ? He's in Philadelphia now. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
[With a quick look away.] Oh, is he? But my 
people are the Henry Livingstons. 

Hamilton. 
Oh! 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
[Quickly,] My father was in the Commissary 
Department during the war. 

Hamilton. 
Was he? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Yes. Mr. Lewis, his name was. 

Hamilton. 
[Interestedly.] Well, now, what do you want 
this money for? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
[With a faltering voice.] I want to run away. 



90 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 
To run away ! From whom ? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
My husband. 

Hamilton. 
Your husband? Why, you're .a child! 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
I'm twenty-six. I don't look it, do I? Oh, he's 
been nothing to me for a long time, but to-night 
he came to my lodgings where I've been living and 
he struck me, here. [Touching her breast.] So I 
thought if you could give me the money that to- 
morrow I'd go to New York. 

Hamilton. 
And to-night? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Oh, I can go back to my lodgings. [With a 
Madonna-like simplicity.] He won't come there 
again to-night. 

Hamilton. 
[Leaning forward.] What did you say your 
name was ? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Mrs. Reynolds — Maria is my first name. At 
home I was always called Joy. 

Hamilton. 
Joy! 



HAMILTON 91 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Yes, Joy, but I haven't had much joy since I 
married. [Breaking down.] Oh, but I want it! 
I want joy and happiness. 

Hamilton. 

[After a pause. Rising and moving to r. and 

not quite knowing what to say to her; she glances 

at him quickly as he does so.] Things will look 

brighter to-morrow. [Bending over her. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
[Despondently.] No, I've waited for years for 
things to be brighter to-morrow. 

Hamilton. 
[Sympathetically.] I fear you are very tired. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
I am. [With a side glance at the things on the 
table.] I've had nothing since morning. 

Hamilton. 
Haven't you? [Suddenly remembering.] Why, 
neither have I ! [Coming down r. a step or two. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Nothing to eat since morning! [Rising.] You 
poor boy ! [Putting her arms on his and then going 
quickly to back of c. table.] Why, you've got all 
sorts of things here — and wine. 

Hamilton. 
Will you have a glass of wine? 

[Curtain warning. 



92 HAMILTON 

Mrs. Reynolds, 
[l. oj table and above it.] Oh, yes, I love wine! 
[He gives it to her laughing. She drinks.] Oh, I 
don't think I should have had it — I've had nothing 
to eat. 

Hamilton. 

In that case, I believe, it goes straight to the 
head. * [They laugh. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
[Putting down glass.] Aren't you going to have 
one ? 

Hamilton. 
Yes, Fm going to have one. Here's wishing that 
joy may come back into your life. 

[Drinks the glass he had already filled when 
the knock cam^. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
[Watches him and comes down a little in front 
of table.] Do you know what it is to be lonely? 

Hamilton. 
[At R. corner of table.] I do. I've been very 
lonely sometimes. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
[Going to him.] I believe you're lonely now. 

Hamilton. 
I believe I am. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

Two lonely people, alone ! Have you nobody here 
to talk to? 



HAMILTON 93 

Hamilton. 
Nobody — but you. \RecoveYmg.\ And that is 
why I am going to send you away. But first, you 
must have some food. [Moving to back of c. table. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
[Gently.] Oh, no — not i£ you're afraid of my 
staying. I see you think it isn't right. 

[Backing away a little toward l. 

Hamilton. 
I think it's better not. But you must have some 
food. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
[Passing her hand over her brow.] No, no, 
thank you. I will go. [Moving over to r. of him. 

Hamilton. 

[Coming down a step.] But I can't let you go 
like this. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

No, I see I was wrong. I had no right to ask 
you for money. 

Hamilton. 
But I don't like to 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

No, thank you, I'll go — I 

[She reels slightly, falling into his arms. 

Hamilton. 
[Catching her.] What's the matter? 



94 HAMILTON 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

[Recovering; dazed.^ I don't know what's come 
over me. I feel so hot and funny. 

Hamilton. 

Well [Looks for a place to seat her.] Sit 

here. ^ [Sits her on sofa. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

[Looking up at him.] It must have been the 
wine. [They laugh. 

Hamilton. 

[Having one knee on sofa, steps over sofa and 
comes behind her; arranges pillows at head of 
ditto'.] Rest here a moment. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

[Reclining and feeling her face.] Feel my face 
how it's burning. 

[Takes his left hand and puts it on her left 
cheek, using her right hand to do so. 

Hamilton. 

I'll get you some water. 

[As he goes, she watches him and takes cloak 
from her shoulders with a quick move- 
ment, which shows the audience she is 
acting. He goes to l. u. end of table left 
and fills a glass of water from a decanter 
and brings it over to her. She looks up 
at him very appealingly and then slowly 
takes the glass in her right hand and sips. 



HAMILTON 95 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

It's wonderful to be with some one who is kind 
to me. 

[Passing the glass into her left hand and 
giving to him; he takes it in his right hand. 

Hamilton. 
Are you feeUng better? [Bending over her. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

[Siihtly getting her fingers into his right hand; 
he takes the glass in his left.] Yes, yes. Let me 
stay — just a moment. [She holds his hand very itn- 
conscionsly and rests a moment zvith eyes closed.] 
Now ril go. 

Hamilton. 

[Bending low over her, recovers himself with an 
effort.] ril call my old negro servant. He shall 
take you home. [Puts glass on c. table. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

[Rising quickly, and gathering cloak around her.] 
Oh, no, no! What would he think? No, I'll go, 
thank you. 

Hamilton. 

But I can't let you [Mrs. Reynolds slightly 

reels.] I'll see you to your door. 

[Takes his hat and cloak from corner of 
bookcase up c. at back; puts cloak on. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
[With a triumphant gleam in her eyes.] Will 



96 HAMILTON 

you? Oh, but, Mr. Hamilton, I couldn't dream of 
taking you out at this hour. It's so late. 

[Moves up L. of sofa, 

Hamilton. 
[Coming down to her.] That's why I can't let 
you go alone. [Feels her thin cloak.] But I'm 
afraid you'll be chilly in the night air. [Putting his 
hat on and taking a second cloak from chair r. of 
bookcase c. at back. ] Here, put this around you. 

[Puts it around her. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
[Cuddling into it, they bump slightly and both 
laugh.] Is it one of yours? 

Hamilton. 
Yes. [Laughing.] And very big for you. 

[Stands l. of her. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

It's very cozy. 

Hamilton. 
Now. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

[Brightly.] May I take your arm? 

[Takes his right arm with her left. 

Hamilton. 
Why, you're feeling much better. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Oh, yes! 

Hamilton. 

I think you had better have another glass of wine? 

[Laughing. 



HAMILTON 97 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Oh, no, thank you; just take me home. Isn't it 
wonderful to be taken home by Alexander Hamil- 
ton? 

\They go toward street door up r. Hamil- 
ton is seen arranging the cloak at her head 
and opening the street-door; they exit 
laughing as 



THE CURTAIN FALLS 



ACT III 

SCENE. — Same as in Act 11. In October of the 
same year. There are flowers about, accentu- 
ating the feeling that the woman of the house 
has come back. The furniture is all placed as 
at the rise of the second act. On the mantel- 
piece up stage end is a small vase of autumn 
flowers. On small table above fireplace large 
bowl of autumn flowers. On bookcase center 
at back a vase of goldenrod, on bookcase left, 
a small vase with yellow flowers and on Ham- 
ilton's table a glass bowl of violets. Wash- 
ington's chair is placed a little further to left. 
The chair against wall below door left is re- 
moved and placed at left of Hamilton's table. 
The small chair back of sofa is placed under 
small table at window on right. A chair similar 
to the other chairs in the room is placed back 
of sofa. There are fresh lace ciirtains at 
windows. 

Betsy is discovered on steps at center window, 
hanging last pair of curtains, assisted by 
Zekiel, who stands left of steps. She is in 
the highest of spirits and laughs at Zekiel's 
fears for her safety. 

Betsy. 

[Laughing.} Now, Zekiel, catch these curtains 
when I drop them. 

98 



HAMILTON 99 

Zekiel. 
I certainly do wish you'd let me come up them 
steps 'stead ob you, Mis' Betsy. 

Betsy. 
Why, you dear old darky, you stay where you're 
safe. 

Zekiel. 

Yo've come all cross de ocean an' yo' still alive. 
Don' want nothin' to happen to yo' no sooner'n yo' 
get on tere firm. When yo' come home las' night, I 
cut'ny was glad to see yo' — an' Mis' Angelica, too — 
and Mars' Ham'ton has been jimipin' about lak a 
schoolboy evah since. 

Betsy. 
Now — catch! [Drops curtain.] And remem- 
ber, Zekiel, when you get married and have a house 
of your own 

Zekiel. 
[ Yapping. ] Me git married ! Ha, ha ! Yo' sure 
is amusin'. Guess if I evah get mar'd, I won't have 
nothin' ob ma own. [Laughs. 

Betsy. 
Remember if you have lace curtains . . . you 
have clean ones. 

[Enter Angelica Church in street clothes, 
door up R., apparently coming from the 
street. 

Angelica. 
Why, Betsy Hamilton ! [Closing door and to c] 
I called to see if you were up ! I see you are ! 



100 HAMILTON 

Betsy. 

\Up on the ladder. \ Angelica Church, the next 
time you have scarlet fever, I hope you'll have it in 
your own country and not drag me over to England 
to nurse you. The state of this house is beyond 
belief. [Mounting another step. 

Angelica. 
Betsy, if you're going to mourit any higher, you'd 
better let me come and hold those steps. 

[Goes to steps r. of them, 

Betsy. 

Now, Zekiel, take those curtains and give them 
to Mary for the wash. 

Zekiel. 
I will do that. Mis' Betsy. [Moving to door l.] 
I cut'ny do hope Mars' Ham'ton don' come in an' 
fine yo' riskin' yo' life yo' fust day home. 

[Exit Zekiel, l. 

Angelica. 
How you can do it, I don't know. I've felt the 
motion of the boat all night. I wouldn't do that 
if you paid me. 

Betsy. 
If I could afford to pay you, Angelica, I'd employ 
somebody who knew how. 

[Angelica shakes steps in retaliation. 
Betsy screams. 

Angelica. 
[Coming down c. a little.] Where's Amiable? 



HAMILTON lOI 

Betsy. 
Angelica, I don't think it's fair that you should 
have a pet name for my husband. 

Angelica. 
Well, I've always called him Amiable because it 
fits him so much better than Alexander. Where 
is he? 

Betsy. 

I sent him to walk three times around the Com- 
mon, while I took down those curtains. 

Angelica. 
He's a darling. I wonder you can bear to let 
him out of your sight. 

Betsy. 

[Sitting on top step.] I can't, dear, I can't. 

Oh, I'm so glad to be home ! But when I came 

in here this morning I couldn't see anything but 

those dirty lace curtains, so I had to send him out. 

Angelica. 
[Laughing.'] And then, it'll be nice to see him 
come in again, won't it ? [Sitting on end of sofa. 

Betsy. 
How do you think he looks ? 

Angelica. 

Hale and hearty. 

Betsy. 

Do you? I thought he was looking quite thin 
and pale. 



102 HAMILTON 

Angelica. 
Oh, because you've been away, of course. Well, 
I'm very sorry, but I think he looks fat and well. 

Betsy. 
I ought not to have left him. 

Angelica. 
You're terribly in love, aren't you? 

[Commg tip to ladder'. 

Betsy. 
I am, Angelica, and I can't get over it. You 
know Alexander is the most wonderful man in the 
world. 

Angelica. 

[Back to c] Is he? What about my husband? 

Betsy. 
Oh, well, John Church is a dear old thing, but 
you couldn't possibly be terribly in love with him, 
could you? Besides he's an Englishman-. 

Angelica. 
What do you mean, Betsy Hamilton? I am ter- 
ribly in love with him. 

Betsy. 

I know you are, dear, but you couldn't possibly 
love John as I love Alexander. 

Angelica. 
And why not? 

Betsy. 
Well, he's a dear, but he has no brains — now 
has he? 



HAMILTON . 103 

Angelica. 
He has very good brains for an Englishman. 
[Moves in front of sofa, removing shawl.] Be- 
sides he's easier to manage that way. 

[Drops shawl on head of sofa. 

Betsy. 

He's very nice and he's very rich, but he isn't 
Alexander. 

Angelica. 

Well, as I prefer having a husband to myself, 
it's just as well he isn't. [They both laugh. An- 
gelica sits end of sofa. Betsy resumes her work. ] 
Betsy, it's sheer nonsense, your going on doing 
all the work in this house as you do. 

Betsy. 
I like it. 

Angelica. 

You don't like it, and you know it. A daughter 
of General Schuyler doing this kind of work — it 
isn't right. 

Betsy. 

Well, you know Alexander's salary, don't you? 
Three thousand dollars a year. 

Angelica. 

Why don't you let father make you a decent 
allowance ? 

Betsy. 

Alexander would rather die than take a penny 
from any one. 

Angelica. 
Then why don't you make him give up working 



104 . HAMILTON 

for his old country and let him work for himself 
and for you? [Rising and crossing to back of 
table L.] Father says he could make twenty thou- 
sand dollars a year easily as a lawyer in private 
practice. 

Betsy. 

[Dusting panes of glass.] The life of this Re- 
public is dearer to him than anything else in the 
world. 

Angelica. 

Oh! Dearer than his wife and family, I sup- 
pose? [Picking up paper, 

Betsy. 
There's no question of that. I know his ambi- 
tions and I'm proud to be helping — if it's only in 
this way. 

Angelica, 

[Throwing down paper disgustedly.] Three 
thousand dollars a year ! How do they expect him 
to provide for you? The government ought to be 
ashamed of itself. [Shakes steps. 

Betsy. 

[Balancing herself on the top step.] If you get 
so excited at the bottom of these steps, I shan't 
need anybody to provide for me. 

[Enter Hamilton, r. door, hat and cane; 
he carries a rose. 

Hamilton. 
[Slamming door behind him.] Betsy Schuyler! 
Come down at once. What on earth are you doing 
up there ? 



HAMILTON lOS 

Betsy. 
[Beanimg at him.] I wanted to get a good view 
of you as you came in, dear. 

Hamilton. 
[Puiiing stick against wall r. of bookcase at c. 
back.] Come down, madam, immediately, or I'll 
come up and fetch you. [Putting hat on bookcase. 

Betsy. 

[Extending both arms invitingly.] I dare you 
to kiss me. [He dashes for the steps. 

Angelica. . 
[Intercepting him at r. of ladder.] Now, if 
there's any kissing to be done, you start at the bot- 
tom of the ladder. [She kisses him.] IVe left my 
husband in England, and I'm starving to death. 
[Kisses him again.] Good-morning, Amiable. 

[He kisses her. 
Betsy. 
I'm coming down. 

[Descends hurriedly. Angelica, laughing, 
moves to l. 

Hamilton. 
I hadn't the heart to refuse her, Betsy. [Em- 
braces Betsy fondly.] I've been starved so long 
myself. 

[He kisses Betsy and then gives her a rose 
he has brought with him. They come 
down stage together, he being on her R. 
Angelica also comes down on Betsy's l. 
Zekiel enters l. ; removes ladder on to 
balcony and exits on balcony toward r. 



I06 HAMILTON 

Angelica. 
Well, my duties as overseer being finished, I 
suppose I ought to go, but as I only got a glimpse 
of you last night. Amiable, I'm going to stay and 
share you with Betsy for the next five minutes. 

Betsy. 
Shall we let her? 

Hamilton. 
Yes, yes. Let's be kind to her. 

\Siis sofa; Betsy sits on his l. 

Angelica. 
Well, the vanity of these men ! Now, tell me all 
you've been doing since Betsy went away. 

[Sitting on sofa, r. of Hamilton. 

Betsy. 
You've only got five minutes, you know. 

Angelica. 
I'll stay ten. 

Betsy. 

Even then I am afraid he will have to leave some 
things out. 

Angelica. 

Ah ! Those are the things I should like to hear. 
Well, what have you been doing ? 

Hamilton. 
[His arm around Betsy.] Well, now I'll tell 
you — but pay great attention — these are state se- 
crets. Part of my time has been spent in trying 
to save this country from rack and ruin. 



HAMILTON 107 

Angelica. 
What's rack? 

Betsy. 
Order, Mrs. Church. 

Angelica. 
I know what ruin is. It's the salary your country 
pays you for saving it. 

Hamilton. 
Order in court ! ! 

Angelica. 
If you're the Judge, you've no right to be embrac- 
ing that lady. [Betsy is nestling during this, 

Hamilton. 

I'm not the Judge. I'm only the supporting Coun- 
sel. But most of my time 

Angelica. 
Ah!. 

Hamilton. 
[Removing his arm and turning to Angelica.] 
Most of my time has been spent in trying to find the 
things that Betsy put away before she went away. 

Betsy. 
[Turning him toward her.] Why, Alexander, I 
put everything in its proper place ! 

Hamilton. 
That's what caused all the trouble. That's why 
I could never find anything, till I had looked every- 
where else. 



I08 HAMILTON 

Angelica. 
Now, if that isn't just like John Church! Hus- 
bands are all alike. 

Hamilton. 
[Looking at Angelica; then turning to Betsy.] 
YouVe seen her husband, Betsy? 

Betsy. 
Yes, dear. 

Hamilton. 
Has she any right to make that statement? 

Betsy. 
No, dear. 

Hamilton. 

Am I like her husband? 

Betsy. 
No, dear! 

[Assuming horror at the thought; Angelica 
rises. 

Hamilton. 
Then the court discharges her with a caution. 
We will proceed with the next case. 

[Folds Betsy in his arms and kisses her, 

Angelica. 
For which, I presume, no witnesses will be called. 
Well, ril go back to my father. 

[Crossing and taking her shawl. 

Betsy. 
Oh, don't go, Angelica. 



HAMILTON 109 

Angelica. 

[Turnhtg c] Well, I won't, because my father's 

coming here to fetch me. [Moves to door l.] But 

ril go into the kitchen and talk to Mary and 

Zekiel. [Hamilton makes movement ; rises. 

Angelica. 

No, don't leave the bench, Judge. I can open the 
door of my cell. [Exit l., laughing. 

Hamilton. 
Betsy ! 

[Kisses her fondly, then sits, placing his arm 
around her. 

Betsy. 
[Fondly. ] You're a real lover, aren't you, dear ? 

Hamilton. 
They've been long months without you. It 
seemed as though you were n^ver coming back. 

Betsy. 
It was dreadful of me to stay away so long. But 
you know I couldn't help it. 

Hamilton. 
You must never, never go away again. 

Betsy. 
I never will, dearest. [She kisses him.] But 
now that I am back, I'm going to be a dreadfully 
expensive wife. I'm going to take away all your 
savings. There are no end of things wanted for 
the house — and of course I haven't got a rag to my 
back. [Laughs. 



no HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 
[Laughing uneasily.] Well, Betsy, we'll pay a 
visit to the rag shop first, and the house can wait. 

[Knock ready, 
Betsy. 

No, no, we'll do the house first — and I'll wait. 
But you must have untold wealth hidden away. 
Why, there's two quarters' salary since I've been 
gone — and no wife to spend it for you. 

Hamilton. 

[Distressed.] Betsy, I've had some unexpected 
expenses recently — but next quarter 

Betsy. 
Why, it's all right, dear. Everything can wait. 
Only I didn't know. I thought you'd been at home, 
busy, and hadn't much opportunity of spending. 

Hamilton. 

I've had some expensive presents to make— ; 
diplomatic presents, you know. 

Betsy. 
[With a little laugh.] Oh, bribes. 

Hamilton. 
[Glancing at her quickly.] I'm afraid it almost 
amounts to that. 

Betsy. 
That doesn't sound like you, Alexander. I can't 

bear to think [Knock heard. They rise.] 

Now, here's somebody coming to take you away 
from me, I suppose. 



HAMILTON III 

Hamilton. 
[Embracing and kissing her.] This is your day, 
Betsy, and wild horses shall not drag me from you. 

Schuyler. 

[Off stage.] Wait a moment, Judge. V\l see if 
he's at home. Mr. Hamilton at home, Uncle? 

Zekiel. 

[Off.] Walk right in, sah. 

[Zekiel opens room door and admiis 
Schuyler and Chief Justice Hay. 
Betsy to c, Hamilton r. Jay follows 
Schuyler; the street door is also open. 
Before Jay enters, Betsy hurriedly re- 
moves her apron and throws it to Hamil- 
ton who throws it to Zekiel when Jay 
has passed down. Zekiel exits r., closing 
room door, also street door. 

Schuyler. 
[Coming to c. behind Betsy.] Here's Chief Jus- 
tice Jay, Alexander. I met him on the door-step. 

Betsy. 
[Up stage c, curtseying.] How do you do, 
Judge Jay? 

Jay. 
Mrs. Hamilton [bozving near door up R. and com- 
ing down], I'm delighted to welcome you back. 

[Kisses her hand, 

Schuyler. 
[To Betsy.] Good-morning, my dear. 



112 HAMILTON 

Betsy. 
Good-morning, father. 

\K\sses him; they come down, Betsy on 
his L. 

Hamilton. 

[Givmg his hand.] Judge Jay, it is good of you 
to honor us with a visit. [Jay comes to Hamil- 
ton.] You've been away. 

Jay. 
[Down R. in front of sofa,] Yes, for a moYith. 
On my return I went first to General Washington, 
whom I now find installed in Colonel Frank's house 
at Germantown. 

Hamilton. 
Yes, the place was available as temporary execu- 
tive quarters. 

Jay. 
I then came to pay my respects to Mrs. Hamilton 
and to congratulate you on your having converted 
Jefferson and Monroe to the support of your Bill. 

[Shaking Hamilton's hand. 

Hamilton. 
That is gradually filtering through to the other 
states, eh? 

Schuyler. 
Alexander's a wonder! 

[Extends hand. Hamilton crosses to c. 
and takes it. 

Hamilton. 

You know, Jefferson and Monroe have withheld 
the news of their capitulation as long as possible. 



HAMILTON 113 

They're desperately afraid of what their followers 
will say. 

Jay. 

It's amazing. I didn't believe that Jefferson 
would yield one inch. 

Schuyler. 

After all his yelling and shouting about the Rights 
of Man ! Alexander's a wonder ! 

[Taking out his snuff-box and taking a pinch. 

Jay. 

[Laughing.] What excuse will he make to his 
constituents ? 

Hamilton. 

[c. Schuyler on his l., Jay on his r., Betsy on 

his L.] He'll just take his pen in his hand and 

write a cantata and his constituents will lift up their 

voices and sing. [All laugh. 

Schuyler. 
Sing what? 

[Handing Hamilton snuff-box, who does 
not take any but holds the open box for 
Jay who takes a pinch. 

Hamilton. 
Jefferson's praises, of course. 

Betsy. 
How did you do it ? 

Schuyler. 
Bribery. Bribery and corruption! 



114 HAMILTON 

Betsy. 

You didn't give Mr. Jefferson your two quarters' 
salary ? 

Hamilton. 
No, my dear. I gave him the Capital of the 
United States. 

[Handing snuff-box back to Schuyler. 

Betsy. 
But there isn't one ! 

Hamilton. 
That's vi^hat made it so easy. 

[Laughter; goes up c. 

Schuyler. 
Ah, if it could only have been in Albany ! 

Jay. 

[With a touch of indignation.} Albany? Why 
put the Capital at the other end of the river? It 
should be in New York. 

Hamilton. 
[Coming dozvn between them, laughing.} Let us 
resign it to Jefferson — on the Potomac. It's a long 
way from civilization, and the river will carry off 
the refuse of debate. The representative of the 
separate states can pour their slander and vitupera- 
tion into the Potomac — until they damn it, while 
the Hudson will remain unrestrained to carry on 
the business of the country. 

[They all laugh. Hamilton goes back of 
table L., Schuyler toward sofa and sits on 
l. end of it. 



HAMILTON 115 

Betsy. 
[Curtseying to Jay.] Good-morning, Your Honor. 
I must tell you that my husband has promised this 
day to me. 

Hamilton. 
Are you on business, Judge Jay? 

Jay. 
[Down R.] I think I shall not detain you long. 

Hamilton. 
Then, my dear [Coming to her by R. of table, 

Betsy. 

[Smiling.\ You said wild horses should not 
drag you from me. 

Hamilton. 
I think the Judge hardly comes under that class ; 
you see he is controlled by the harness of the state. 

Jay. 
[Laughing and to c] Which makes him a very 
tame horse indeed. 

Betsy. 
In ten minutes, then, I shall take the reins and 
drive you away. 

[Exits L., brightly. He follozvs her to door. 

Jay. 

You must be proud of your daughters. General 
Schuyler. 



Il6 HAMILTON 

Schuyler. 
Proud? Why, since they've been back my bosom 
has so swelled with pride that my foot has sunk 
into insignificance. 

Hamilton. 
[ Taking chair from l. of table^ and placing it l. c. 
m front of table.] Will you sit down, Judge? 
[Indicates chair r. of table.] There was something 
you wished to say to me? 

Jay. 

[Coming to chair r. of table.] Yes — er — yes. 
Ahem ! What a very pleasant room you have here. 

[ Tentatively. 

Hamilton. 
Fm beginning to doubt it, Judge Jay. 

Jay. 

[Surprised.] To doubt it? Why? 

[Sits R. of table. 

Hamilton. 
That is precisely the remark Mr. Jefferson made 
when he had something unpleasant to say to me. 

[Sits L. c. in front of table, but facing some- 
zvhat toward Jay. . 

Jay. 
You are right. I have something that it is not 
easy to say to you. 

Schuyler. 
Do you wish me to go, Judge? 



HAMILTON 117 

Jay. 

No, General^ I very mvich desire that you should 
stay. Mr. Hamilton, it is sometimes difficult to 
determine how far a public man realizes the extent 
of his influence on the character of others. You 
are a modest man, but I think you must know that 
the eyes of the nation are turned toward you as an 
honorable man who is to steer this country clear of 
grave dangers. 

Hamilton. 

I am, at any rate, conscious of great responsi- 
bilities. 

Jay. 

That is so — great and grave responsibilities. No 
one but yourself can persuade the government to 
assume the debts of the states. 

Hamilton. 
The value of the cooperation of Jefferson and 
Monroe on that issue cannot be overrated. 

Jay. 
Yes. The Anti-Federalists are with you on that 
issue as long as they have to be, but it is my belief 
that they are looking for a loophole, a way out. 

Hamilton. 
What makes you believe that? 

Jay. 
\Pause. Hamilton zvaits.\ I will be frank with 
you. I have been several times annoyed by the re- 
ceipt of anonymous letters threatening exposure of 
some scandal connected with the Secretarv of the 



Jl8 HAMILTON 

Treasury. I wished you to remain, General Schuyler, 
because I want it understood that my confidence 
in Colonel Hamilton is unbounded. I have traced 
these letters to a man named Reynolds. 

Hamilton. 
Oh, yes. 

Jay. 
You know him? 

Hamilton. 
Yes. 

Jay. 
He was recently arrested for perjury in connec- 
tion with a state case. Do you know anything of 
the case? 

Hamilton. 
No, but the prosecution was made through the 
Treasury Department, and he wrote to me, begging 
rne to use my influence to obtain his release. 

Jay. 
And you refused. 

Hamilton. 
Yes, I refused. 

Jay. 

Had he any reason to believe that you would help 
him? 

Hamilton. 
Yes, good reason. 

Jay. 
Why did you refuse? 

Hamilton. 
Because I have never used my public office for my 
private ends. 



HAMILTON 119 

Jay. 

By that I understand that the man has some 
claim upon you. 

Hamilton. 
Yes. 

Jay. 

It has come to my knowledge that since his arrest 
certain papers or letters have fallen into the hands 
of Senator Monroe, and that some information has 
been passed on to the unscrupulous Giles of Vir- 
ginia. [Enter Zekiel up R. 

Zekiel. 

Sentah Monroe an' Mr. Giles to see yo', sah. 
[Jay and Schuyler look toward each other, 

Hamilton. 

\Rxsmg.\ It looks as if your information were 
correct, Judge Jay. 

Jay. 

\Rismg.\ ril take my leave. 

Hamilton. 

Excuse me. I ask you both to remain. Show 
them in, Zekiel, 

\Exxt Zekiel. Hamilton places chair hack 
L. of table. 

Jay. 

[Meeting him in front of table and taking his 
hand.] Understand, Hamilton, my confidence in 
your integrity is unshakable. 

[Enter Zekiel. Jay to l. 



I20 HAMILTON 

Zekiel. 

Sentah Monroe and Mr. Giles. 

\EnteY Monroe and Giles up R. 

Hamilton. 
\Down c. and bozvmg.] Gentlemen, you honor 
me. [Exit Zekiel door up r. 

Monroe. 
[Coming down.'] Fm sorry if I interrupt you, 
Mr. Hamilton, but my errand is important. 

[Hamilton m^^/^ /A^m c. 

Giles. 
[On Monroe's r.] How do, Hamilton? 

[Schuyler shows annoyance at Giles' loud 
manner. 

Hamilton. 



Mr. Giles. . . 


Monroe. 


[Bows. 


Citizen Jay. 


Jay. 




Senator Monroe. 


Giles. 


[They how. 


How do, Judge? 


[]ky doesn't how to Giles. 




Hamilton. 




Judge Jay called ■ 


Won't you 


sit down, Mr. 



Monroe? [Monroe sits r. of table. Giles re- 
mains standing.'] Judge Jay called to express his 
pleasure at yom* cooperation in connection with the 
States' Debts. [Jay sits l. of tahle. 

Monroe. 
Yes, I trust we shall have no reason to alter our 
decision on that point. 



HAMILTON 121 

Hamilton. 
[Standing back of table.] I, too, trust that you 
will not find it expedient to break your word. 

Giles. 
It's not a matter of breaking words ; it's a matter 
of public opinion. 

Hamilton. 
Oh, I was not referring to you, Mr. Giles. Every- 
body knows that you would never be guilty of a 
breach of faith. 

Giles. 
Ugh ! [Moves across r. in front of sofa, 

Hamilton. 
Unless it were made absolutely worth your while. 

Giles. 
[Turning.] That remark is uncalled for, sir! 

Hamilton. 

True. Tell me, Mr. Giles, what have vou called 
for? 

Monroe. 

We have called. Citizen Hamilton, on business of 
a private character. 

Hamilton. 
Do you wish us to be alone ? 

Monroe. 
I think you would prefer it. 



122 HAMILTON. 

Zekiel. 
[Enters up r., announcing.] Mr. Thomas Jef- 
ferson! 

[Enter Jefferson to c. Monroe and Jay 
rise. 

Hamilton. 
[Greets him c] Mr. Jefferson! 

Jefferson. 
You will excuse me, Citizen Hamilton, but I 
received a note from Citizen Monroe asking me 
to meet him here at this hour. I trust I do not 
intrude. 

Monroe. 
I told Mr. Jefferson that the business was urgent. 

Jefferson. 
Otherwise, I assure you, I should not have taken 
this liberty. 

Hamilton. 
[To Monroe.] Does your business relate to my 
public office as Secretary of the Treasury? 

Giles. 
It does. 

Hamilton. 

Then I am gratified that you are here, Mr. Jef- 
ferson, and I shall ask you, gentlemen, to allow 
Chief Justice Jay and General Schuyler to remain. 

Monroe. 
[Stiffly. ^^ If you wish it. 



HAMILTON 123 

Hamilton. 
[Taking chair from behind sofa and placing it c. 
Jefferson shakes hands with Schuyler and then 
sits.] Pray be seated, Mr. Jefferson. 

[Monroe and Jay sit. Hamilton to hack 
of table. 

Monroe. 
Mr. Hamilton, I am compelled to ask you if you 
are acquainted 

Hamilton. 
It may facilitate matters if I say that I am 
acquainted with a man of the name of Reynolds. 

Giles. 
[Standing down r. in front of sofa.] James 
Reynolds. 

Hamilton. 
Fm not sure of his first name. He is hardly an 
intimate acquaintance of mine. I believe it is 
James. You probably know him as Jim. Won't 
you sit down? [Giles does not hear him. Ham- 
ilton repeats.] Won't you sit down? 

[Indicates large chair l. Giles crosses and 
sits. Hamilton sits back of table. 

Monroe. 
The man Reynolds has placed in my hands cer- 
tain letters which show that he has recently received 
from you considerable sums of money. 

Hamilton. 
You are apparently in his confidence, Mr. Mon- 
roe. 



124 HAMILTON 

Giles. 
Those letters were brought to us unasked. 

Hamilton. 
I see. The letters were also uncalled for. 

Monroe. 

You say you are not intimately acquainted — what 
was that money paid for? 

Hamilton. 

May I be allowed to see the documents in ques- 
tion ? 

[Monroe takes them from his pocketbook, 
and hands them to Hamilton. 

Giles. 
[After Hamilton has looked at a few of them.] 
What was that money paid for? 

Hamilton. 

Didn't your friend tell you — I mean before he was 
arrested for perjury? 

Giles. 
[Hotly.] He's not my friend! I never saw the 
man till he came to me on the subject of these 
letters. 

Hamilton. 
Are you sure? 

Giles. 
Of course Fm sure ! 

[Crosses his legs uneasily. Looks under seat, 

Hamilton. 
That is George Washington's chair! 



HAMILTON 12$ 

Giles. 
{Angrily pulls chair around io face Hamilton.] 
There seems to be no doubt that you paid him the 
money. 

Hamilton. 

There seems to be no doubt about that. 

Monroe. 

Mr. Hamilton, I should not be here if I had not 
been forced by the facts before me. But I cannot 
disbelieve the evidence of my own eyes. There are 
your letters proving that the money v^as paid to 
Reynolds, and we are compelled to ask you why 
you paid it. 

Hamilton. 

Who compels you to do that ? 

Monroe. 
Our sense of duty. Citizen Hamilton. 

Hamilton. 
Duty to whom? 

Monroe. 

To the country — to the people — to the citizens of 
this RepubHc. 

Hamilton. 

This has nothing to do with the country or the 
people. This is my own private affair. 

Giles. 

We know why you paid the money — Reynolds 
told us. 

Hamilton. 
Oh, you know, do you? 



126 HAMILTON 

Giles. 
Yes, we know. 

Hamilton. 
Then you haven't come for information — but 
merely for the love of sport. 

Monroe. ' 

That money was paid out of the Treasury of the 
United States. 

Hamilton. 
It was paid out of my own personal account. 

Monroe. 
That we shall require to have proved. But you 
know what it was paid for. 

Hamilton. 
Yes, I know what it was paid for, and from 
what Mr. Giles says, you know also. 

{Opening drawer of table, drawer on r. 

Monroe. 

I do. It was paid to this man that he might buy 
up the states' paper — the states' debts. 

Hamilton. 
[Stopping opening drawer quickly.] What do 
you mean ? 

Monroe. ^ 
That he might buy up the states' debts, for your 
benefit. 

Hamilton. 
[Rising.] What! 



HAMILTON 127 

Monroe. 
A stock- jobbing gamble. 

Jay. 
Come, come, Mr. Monroe. You have only the 
nian's word for that. 

Schuyler. 
The word of a man who is arrested for perjuiy. 

Monroe. 
[Ttirnmg to Schuyler.] Reynolds gives con- 
clusive evidence that Mr. Hamilton gave him ad- 
vance information of the proposed Government 
Assumption of States' Debts ; that he gave him the 
money to buy up the paper at bargain prices; and 
that his share in the spoils will be five million dollars. 
[Turning to Hamilton and striking table. 

Hamilton. 
{Geniiinely surprised.] So that's what he told 
you, did he? That's the reason for the whole — 
thing. 

Monroe. 
And there are the proofs of the money you gave 
him. [Pointing to paper in Hamilton's hands. 

Hamilton. 
[After a pause and looking through letters.} 
Thirty dollars — twenty-five dollars — one hundred 

dollars Very modest amounts for purposes of 

speculation. 

Jay. 
Very. 



128 HAMILTON 

Giles. 
Just as dishonest to steal ten dollars as ten mil- 
lions. 

Monroe. 

You can't dodge, Hamilton. I owe it to this 
country to expose this damned business. You use 
your official information to rob the patriots who 
raised the money to save this nation ! 

Jay. 



No ! No ! 
Mr. Monroe! 



Schuyler. 



Monroe. 
He makes them believe their loans will never be 
paid, and then he hires this man to buy up their 
claims— ^and hoodwinks us into passing his bill for 
him. 

Jay. 
Senator Monroe, we entirely lack proof of this. 

Hamilton. 
Gentlemen — let us try to be frank with one an- 
other. You have come here to-day not because you 
believe me guilty of this accusation, not because 
you feel any duty to the public, but because you 
repent the bargain you made with me to vote for 
my bill. You are afraid of your own party. Your 
courage has failed you, and you believe this to be a 
tremendous opportunity to free yourselves from 
your promise. [Jefferson protests.] That is the 
true statement of fact, Mr. Jefferson, whatever you 
may think to the contrary. You dislike me — you 
are afraid of me — and this is part of an organized 
conspiracy to force me to resign, and so to end 



HAMILTON/ 129 

your difficulties. This is not the first time that 
you have accused me, but it is the first time that I 
have been unwiUing to strike back at you. Time 
and again you have charged me with dishonesty in 
the Treasury. Three months ago you set the 
trusty Giles on to covertly accuse me of cooking 
the accounts. Within ten days, as you know, after 
going through endless records, I proved that there 
was no shadow of foundation for your accusation, 
and you slunk away whipped and defeated. And 
now here you are yelping at my heels again and 
ready to tear me to pieces. This time you are 
bolder. You come to me with an open accusation 
of absolute dishonesty. This accusation is based 
on the evidence of one James Reynolds, an obscure 
and worthless man. Had I desired to defraud the 
Treasury should I have been driven to the necessity 
of unkennelling Reynolds to assist me? Gentle- 
men, it is not a reasonable accusation. If I felt 
that you really believed that this was even remotely 
connected with my office, I should not hesitate to 
give you proof to the contrary. But you know that 
what you accuse me of has no foundation in truth. 
[Pause.] I admit that I had transactions with the 
man Reynolds {movement of interest from the 
others], but they were of a private nature, and I 
swear that my connection with him is in no way 
bound up with my public office. I make an appeal 
to your sense of justice, and I ask you, gentlemen, 
to drop this investigation. 

Jay. 
[After a slight pause.] In deference to Mr. 
Hamilton, I think, gentlemen, that should close the 
matter. 



ISO HAMILTON 

Schuyler. 
There is no question of the honor of Alexander 
Hamilton. 

Jefferson. 
Mr. Hamilton has indeed made a very moving 
appeal. 

Monroe. 

\i the facts are not as stated, why not tell us 
w^hat they are ? 

Hamilton. 

Because such disclosure would be useless to you 
and would cause much suffering to some who are 
very near and dear to me. 

Jefferson. 
\As if about to rise.] Well, in that case, Citizen 

Hamilton 

Monroe. 

But I don't see how r- Do you mean it's a 

domestic affair? 

Hamilton. 
[Uneasily.] In a sense, yes. 

Monroe. 
Something that affects your wife? 

Hamilton. 
[Restraining himself.] Yes, sir. Something 

that affects my wife 

[There is a moment of embarrassment. 
Monroe shows that he does not wish to 
proceed. 



HAMILTON 131 

Giles. 
\R\sm(j.\ Mr. Hamilton, as a trusted representa- 
tive of the State of Virginia, I feel it my duty to 
ask you a few questions. 

Hamilton. 
VLooks at Giles hard for several moments and 
then sits. Great restraint.] Yes. 

Giles. 
In the first place, in what way is your wife mixed 

up 

Hamilton. 

[Springing up and striking table. Furious.] 
Stop ! There shall be no more of this. I am 
ashamed of the act that has led to this inquiry, but I 
am more ashamed of my cowardice in begging your 
charity. You shall have the facts. During the 
absence of my wife abroad, I became intimate with 
Mrs. Reynolds [Sensation.] It doesn't mat- 
ter how or where, but the thing happened — to my 
eternal disgrace. Since that night I have been pay- 
ing hush-money to the man Reynolds. He has 
never ceased to blackmail me. [Taking letters from 
drawer.] Here are his letters with demands for 
money. They form the sequel to those which you 
now hold; and here are three or four love letters 
from Mrs. Reynolds, which I am sure you will 
enjoy reading. 

[Throwing them on table toward Giles, 
shutting drawer and moving across to ex- 
treme R. at back and back again. 

Schuyler. 
[Rising. Thunderstruck.] Alexander! 



132 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 
Father, I have no excuse to make. [Giles picks 
lip the letters and crosses quickly and shozvs them 
to Jefferson. Jefferson turns away saying "" No, 
no." Giles then turns to Monroe. Monroe takes 
the letters and throws them on the table saying: 
"/ prefer not." Hamilton comes back of table.] 
Since this accusation has been made I must insist 
on your reading all these documents. These are 
his — and these are hers. They both form part qf 
the plot in which you are now involved. You will 
find no mention of state debts in them. Her letters 
are an attempt to drag me into a prolonged intrigue, 
and were necessary for the full effect of his black- 
mailing. [Looking at Giles who is standing c. be- 
tween Monroe and Jefferson.] A conspiracy 
from beginning to end. A conspiracy to discredit 
Washington's administration and my office. Will 
you read them or do you condemn me to read them 
to you ? 

[He pulls off the tapes from her letters and 
is about to read. 

Betsy. 
[Heard off l., calling.] Alexander? [A mo- 
ment of suspense. Enters door l.] Alexander! 
Oh, I beg your pardon, gentlemen, I thought you 
had gone. [The men rise and there is an awkward 
pause.] But this was to be my day with my hus- 
band. Won't you let him off till to-morrow? 
We've been parted so long, you know. Won't you, 
Mr. Jefferson? 

[She is down l. in front of table. Jay moves 
to c. and meets Jefferson and Monroe. 
They make a group there. Giles moves to 



HAMILTON 133 

R. m front of sofa. Schuyler has worked 
across at back and is coming down l. 

Hamilton. 
[Coming by l. of table to her rapidly.] In a few 
moments, dear — in a few moments, and then I'll 
come. 

Betsy. 

But you look so tired, dear — so tired and old. 
Tve never seen you look old before. 

Hamilton. 
I've grown old in your absence, dear. I'll come 
in a few moments — very soon. 

Betsy. 
And we'll look at the shops — and you'll be my 
boy again. 

Hamilton. 
[Kisses her hand.] Yes, dear. 

Jay. 
[Coming to L. c] I don't think we need to ask 
Mrs. Hamilton to withdraw. Our business is over, 
and I apologize for having kept him so long. You 
came to take the reins, eh, Mrs. Hamilton ? I think 
I will go before you use the whip. [Schuyler has 
joined Betsy by this time. Jay draws Hamilton 
a'way to c] I sincerely regret that you should have 
been subjected to this. 

Betsy. 
[Down L. in front of table. By instinct.] Is 
something the matter, father? 



134 HAMILTON 

Schuyler. 
\0n her R. Tries to distract her atte7itio7i.] 
It's all right, my dear; it's all right. 

Jefferson. 
[Quietly, to Hamilton.] Citizen Hamilton, I 
am heartily ashamed of having obtruded myself into 
this business. I give you my word that not one 
syllable of this shall ever pass my lips. 

Monroe. 

I'm sorry. I was misinformed. ... I apolo- 
gize. 

[They bow to Hamilton and he follows 
them as they move toward the door up r. 
Betsy is conscious of something the mat- 
ter, and lingers, although you see Schuy- 
ler is trying to get her away, 

Giles. 
[ Who has been walking restlessly to and fro down 
R.] Wait a minute, wait a minute ! [They all stop 
and turn. Jefferson at door, Monroe following. 
Hamilton c. and Jay c. to l. Up stage.] I don't 
want to speak before Mrs. Hamilton, but this thing 
hasn't been brought to a satisfactory conclusion. 

Jefferson. 
[Coming back a few steps.] Surely there is 
nothing more to be said. 

Jay. 

Mr. Hamilton has met you fairly and straight- 
forwardly. 



HAMILTON 135 

Giles, 
[r. c. in front of sofa.] I have nothing to say 
against Mr. Hamilton, but 

Jay, Jefferson and Monroe. 
Sh-sh ! 

[Monroe comes down r. behind Jefferson. 

Giles. 
[Loudly and pugnaciously,] I won't be muzzled. 
I am a trusted representative of Virginia, and it is 
my duty to do the best for my state. 

Hamilton. 

[c] I think, gentlemen, we will not endeavor to 
restrain Mr. Giles in the execution of his duty. 

Giles. 
If Mrs. Hamilton will be good enough to re- 
tire - 



[Betsy looks toward Hamilton, rather 
worried and scared. 

Hamilton. 
No, gentlemen, with your permission I shall ask 
my wife to remain. 

[Sensation. Slight pause. Hamilton moves 
to chair r. of table but does not sit. 

Giles. 
Oh, I see, you want to gag me. 

Hamilton. 
On the contrary, I am hoping that you will re- 
move the seal from my own lips. 



136 HAMILTON 

Giles. 
You mean that you want me to speak out ? 

Hamilton. 
[Lottdly and startlingly.] Yes, I want you to 
speak out. 

Giles. 

[Slightly taken aback by his tone.] Very well. 
[Aloves to c] Alexander Hamilton, you don't like 
me, but I am going to prove to you that I am your 
friend. [Hamilton glances at him.] You don't 
believe it, but I am going to prove it to you. What 
would you say if the newspapers got hold of this 
story ? 

[Slight movement from Jefferson awfl? Mon- 
roe. They exchange a glance of disap- 
proval. 

Hamilton. 
Which — my story or yours? 

Giles. 

Now, it's no use getting personal — it isn't my 
story, it's Reynolds'. What would you say if the 
newspapers came out to-morrow with the story that 
the Secretary of the Treasury had borrowed the 
Nation's money to speculate with — to buy up the 
States' paper? 

Hamilton. 

[Looking at his wife, who has started and is 
being restrained by Schuyler.] For the moment, 
I don't know what I should say, Mr. Giles. 

Giles. 
It wouldn't be any use trying to get your bill 



HAMILTON 137 

through then, not even with Jefferson and Monroe 
behind you. Public opinion would be too strong. 

Jefferson. 
[Corning in between Hamilton and Giles.] 
Citizen Hamilton, you must excuse me. I cannot 
stand by while Citizen Giles continues in this way. 
I wish to express my regret that a representative of 
Virginia should behave in such a deplorable manner. 
[Bows to Hamilton.] I take my leave, 

[Exit door up r. and shuts door after him, 
Monroe is following but stops at room 
door as Giles speaks. Curtain zvarning, 

Giles. 
[Moving across to r. back angrily. \ Well, Jef- 
ferson's words don't alter facts— at least not with 
me they don't. 

Jay. 

[l. c. at back.] Is there any danger of the news- 
papers getting it ? 

Giles. 

[Coming to c] There's more than a danger; it's 
a fact that the Advertiser has got the story and is 
going to publish it in to-morrow's issue, unless 

Hamilton. 
[In front of chair r. of table. ] Unless 

Giles. 
I think it would be better if Mrs. Hamilton 



Hamilton. 

Mrs. Hamilton is your hostess. You said, *' un- 
less " 



138 HAMILTON 

Giles. 
Well, unless, of course, you deny it, which you 
couldn't very well because there are the proofs that 
the money was paid to Reynolds, and you can't 
explain why. 

Hamilton. 
[After a pause and sitting.} You've got me, 
haven't you? 

Giles. 
Now, Mr. Hamilton, if you will withdraw your 
Bill, I'll guarantee that the story shall not be printed. 

Betsy. 
[Crossing to Hamilton.] I don't know what 
foundation you have for your false accusations 
against Colonel Hamilton, but he must not give up 
that Bill. He's worked and slaved, and gained the 
confidence of all the world with that in view, and 
he must not give it up ! 

Hamilton. 
Can you bear the alternative, Betsy? 

Betsy. 
I must bear it. 

Hamilton. 
Can you bear that I, the Secretary of the Treas- 
ury, should be accused of cheating the people ? 

Betsy. 
Bear it? Why, of course, because I know it isn't 
true. 

Hamilton. 
[Rising.^ How do you know it isn't true? 



HAMILTON 139 

Betsy. 
What do you mean? Because I know you, Alex- 
ander. 

Hamilton. 

[Advancing to her.] Do you know me — do you? 

Betsy. 
Tell me what you mean? 

Hamilton. 
[Taking her by the arms.] Why don't you sus- 
pect me — why do you trust me? 

Betsy. 
Don't — don't ! Tell me what it is. You can prove 
it isn't true. 

Hamilton. 

I can, but I dare not. 

Betsy. 
You dare not? 

Hamilton. 

I dare not tell the truth. I did pay certain sums 
of money. 

Betsy. 
What for? What did you pay it for? 

Hamilton. 
To keep from the light something of which I am 
ashamed — to hide something shameful from you. 

Schuyler. 
[Down L.] Alexander, have you no feeling for 
your wife? Betsy, go- 



I40 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 
[Slepping back from Betsy.] Father, it's better 
that she should know. Betsy 

Schuyler. 
You're not going to drag that woman 



Jay. 
Oh ! [A moment of dead awfid silence, 

Betsy. 
[Turning dazed to Schuyler.] It's not a 
woman? [He bows his head. She turns to Ham- 
ilton and sees the guilt on his face, ] Oh ! 

Schuyler. 
Betsy, my girl! 

Betsy. 

[Lifting her head, dazed, but with a sense of 
pride. ] Does any one else know ? 

Schuyler. 
[Quietly.'] Mr. Jefferson, that is all. 

Betsy. 
[Looking at Monroe and Jay.] Will they tell? 

Jay and Monroe. 
No. 

Betsy. 
[Slowly.] Then it need never be known. 

Giles. 
Then you withdraw your Bill ? 



HAMILTON 141 

Hamilton. 

[With a great sudden otitbiirst.] No — no 

I can't do it. I've done with bargains. Tve bar- 
gained with my conscience long enough. Fm 
covered with shame and remorse, but I can't stand 
in the mud and barter what I beUeve to be Ameri- 
ca's honor. My Bill stands. Get out and tell your 
story, and I'll tell mine. 

Giles. 
What'U you tell? 

Hamilton. 
The truth! [Picking up letters.} The whole 
degrading, sordid truth. In to-morrow's newspaper 
I'll publish every fragment of evidence in connec- 
tion with my disgrace with this woman. If there 
is to be dishonor, it shall fall on me and not on this 
administration. I sacrifice my office — I sacrifice 
my wife, — but, by God, Betsy, I can't sell my 
country. [With a peremptory gesture to Giles.] 
Now go ! ! ! 

[Giles goes toward door r. and the curtain 

falls quickly. 
[Picture. — Monroe is going; Hamilton, c, 
looking toward door; Schuyler takes 
Betsy in his arms. Giles is seen going 
through street door. He glares at Ham- 
ilton and bangs the door after him. 



curtain 



ACT IV 

SCENE. — A room in Hamilton's house; the next 
morning. It is a lofty anteroom, with very 
large folding doors centre, which, when opened, 
disclose a large reception room beyond. There 
are doors down right and left and a zmndozv 
up right. The room is severe in its Colonial 
dignity, very large panels being either side of 
the folding door, and on the walls right and 
left. The general tone is of a yellowish cream 
relieved with gray. A harpsichord is on stage 
dozvn right centre and a chair in front of it. 
Black console tables zvith a pair of marble 
vases stand against the walls right and left of 
centre doors at back. Hanging above the con- 
soles in black oval frames are two old-fash- 
ioned pictures of flowers. A three-piece Chip- 
pendale settee is against the zvall left above the 
door. Lace curtains and blue rep hangings on 
window up right. When centre doors are 
opened you see a large handsome mantel at 
hack with windows right and left hung with red 
rep curtains. Tzvo small square tables in front 
of windows, and a large mahogany table in 
centre in front of fireplace. Ornaments on 
mantel and vases on small tables. The doors 
are closed. 

General Schuyler discovered standing in centre of 

room dejectedly, with newspaper clutched in 

hand. Boy calling ''Paper!'' heard through 

window^ Boy calls, ''Federalist! Federalist! 

142 



HAMILTON 143 

PhUadeJphm Evening Sun! Confession of 
Alexander Hamilton! " Schuyler goes and 
slams down window. Returns to centre and 
looks at newspaper. Enter Angelica down on 
right. She has evidently been crying. She 
goes up to her father and kisses him sympa- 
thetically. He instantly puts paper behind back., 

Schuyler.^ 

Where's Betsy ^.rfe rfjrw 1 .:m^ 
Angelica. 

[r. of him.] Still in. her room. 

Schuyler. 
I wish Alexander would come. 

Angelica. 
He's still locked in his study. 

. ■,. Schuyler. 
He's been writing since early morning. Can't 
you get him out ? 

Angelica. 
I've tried. I told him there were people waiting 
to see him. He called out, '' Let them wait." 

Schuyler. 
But this room [pointing to doors up stage] is 
full of men — Senators, Congressmen, and heaven 
knows who besides. It's not like him to run away. 

Angelica. 
He won't run away. 



144 HAMILTON 

Schuyler. 
The thing's done. He's got to face the musica 

Angelica. 
He'll face it. 

Schuyler. 
How does Betsy seem now? 

Angelica. 
She's so deadly calm. I wish she'd cry or rave — 
be more human. 

Schuyler. 
She's determined to go? 

Angelica. 
Yes, I can do nothing with her. 

Schuyler. -^^rji Y.. ;i 
[Looking at paper.] It's a bad business — a bad 
business. [Putting paper behind him quickly, 

Angelica, 
[r. c] You needn't hide that paper. I'm hot 
ashamed of it. 

Schuyler. 
[Surprised.] You're not? 

Angelica. 
[Coming to him.] Oh, father, isn't he wonder- 
ful? 

Schuyler. 
Who? 

Angelica. 
Alexander. 



HAMILTON 145 

Schuyler. 

Well— er 

Angelica. 
Oh, I wish he were my husband — I should be 
proud of him. 

Schuyler. 

Angehca, if you'd only been a man^f you'd 
been my eldest son instead of my eldest daughter, 
I'd have taken you by the hand and called you a 
fine fellow \shakes hands with her], but those are 
hardly the proper sentiments for a young married 
woman. 

Angelica. 

If he were my husband, I'd show him how a 
woman can forgive. 

Schuyler. 

But he isn't your husband, and that makes all the 

difference. Don't be hard on Betsy. It's easy 

enough for one woman to forgive another woman's 

husband. [Enter Zekiel door l. 

Zekiel. 

Speakah Mullenburg an' Mistah Morris has jes' 
come. 

Schuyler. 
Did you say Mr. Hamilton was engaged? 

Zekiel. 
Yessah, but they said lack de odders dat dey'd 
wait, so I done showed 'em into de room wid de 
rest of 'em. 

Angelica. 
Veiy well, Zekiel. 



146 HAMILTON 

Zekiel. 
They ain' goin' to do nothin' to Mars' Hamilton, 
is dey, sah? 

Schuyler. 
No, no, no! 

Zekiel. - 

\Going oui.\ Wal, I done wish dey wouldn't all 
Stan' roun' waitin' for him. \Exit, l. 

Angelica. 

\Up stage r. c] I'm glad I'm not your eldest 
son, after all, father. 

Schuyler. 
What is it now, Angelica? 

Angelica. 
[Indicating toward inner room c] If these are 
fair samples of men, I'm glad I'm not one of the 
tribe. All waiting around to kick a man when 
he's down. 

[Crossing in front to l. Enter Betsy door 
R., dressed for the street. 

Schuyler. 
Oh, there you are, Betsy ! Going out ? 

[Assumed brightness, 

Betsy, 
[r. c] Yes, I'm going, father. Has Alexander 
come down? 

Schuyler. 
Not yet. Where are you going? 



HAMILTON 147 

Betsy. 
Tm going to Albany, father, to wait for you. 
I'm going home. 

Schuyler. 
Won't you stay and see him? 

Betsy. 

Things for him will go on just as if I had not 
come back from Europe. That is all. He can 
resume that life. The coach for Albany leaves at 
noon. 

Schuyler. 

[c] You'd better see him, Betsy. 

Betsy, 
[r. c] I've seen the morning paper. 

Angelica. 

[l. c] And so have I^ — read every word of it — 
twice. 

Schuyler. 

Well, if your sister's determined to go, you had 
better get your things together, Angelica, and go 
with her. She can't go alone. 

Angelica. 
Why don't yoxi go with her ? 

Schuyler. 
I can't leave Alexander at a time like this. 

Angelica. 
Well, neither can I. Betsy's the only one who can 
leave him, so she must go alone. 



148 HAMILTON 

Schuyler. 
Come, come, Angelica. You mustn't talk like 
that. 

Betsy. 

\ Coming to Schuyler.] Don't, father. Fd much 
rather go alone. I can't bear to see or speak to 
anybody, I'm so ashamed — I can't face even you. 

[Going toward l. 

Angelica. 
[Stopping her c] Betsy, take off that hat and 
stand by him. Are you going to leave that man ? 

Betsy. 
Yes. 

Angelica. 
Good. He doesn't need you. He never needed 
you less. H you can't appreciate his courage and 
bravery, you are no fit mate for him. God knows 
there are few enough men w^ho are willing to sacri- 
fice everything for the truth. H you're going, go. 
Go and join those men in there who are all waiting 
to take a peck at him. 

Scpiuyler. 
Angelica ! 

Angelica. 
I know. Alexander's done a wicked, disgraceful 
thing. That's what makes the difference between a 
human being and a white-washed saint. I'm a 
human being myself, and I'm going to wait here 
for Alexander. [Enter Zekiel, l. 

Schuyler. 
Well? 



HAMILTON 149 

Zekiel. 
It's a lady callin', Mis' Betsy. 

Betsy. 
\lnier.esied,\ Who is it? 

Zekiel. 
\Lamely.'\ It's a — Mrs. Reynolds, ma'am. 

Schuyler and Angelica. 
[Together; indignantly.] What? 

Betsy. 
Tell her Mr. Hamilton is out. 

Zekiel. 
She wants to see you, Mis' Betsy. 

Angelica. 
[Indigjtaitt.] I never in all my life! 

Schuyler. 
[About to go toward l.] V\l soon settle her. 

Betsy. 
Wait a moment, father. I'll see her. 

[Zekiel going. 
Angelica. 
No, no, Zekiel. 

Betsy. 
[Firmly.] Show her in, Zekiel. [Zekiel exits l. 

Angelica. 

Do you mean to say you're going to see that dis- 
graceful woman? 



ISO HAMILTON 

Betsy. 
Yes. Will you and father go away, please ? 

Angelica. 
But why ? Why do you want to see her ? 

Betsy.. 

I want to see what she looks like. Perhaps there's 
something of the human being in me, too. 

Schuyler. 
Come on, Angelica. [Angelica crosses to r. and 
opens door.] I've got two daughters and your dear 
mother at home, but I'll be hanged if I understand 
the first thing about women. 

[Exeunt Angelica and Schuyler. Betsy, 
in front of harpsichord, waits somewhat 
nervously. Enter Zekiel with Mrs. 
Reynolds. 

ZiLKlEU 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

[Mrs. Reynolds enters, pretty and demure. 
She waits for Zekiel to go, looking to see 
that he's gone before she speaks. Zekiel 
goes off. Betsy stands looking at Mrs. 
Reynolds. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
[l. c] You're Mrs. Hamilton, aren't you? 
Mighty nice of you to see me. 

Betsy. 
What do you want ? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Why — of course, you've seen the newspaper. 



HAMILTON 151 

Betsy. 
Yes. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

[With conscious pride.] Yes, it's made quite a 
stir, hasn't it ? I came because I thought you might 
feel badly about it. I thought you might feel angry 
with him. 

Betsy. 
With whom ? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Why, with Mr. Hamilton. I don't see how any 
one could — he's so nice, but 

Betsy. 
What is it you want to say ? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Well, I wouldn't like you to be cross with him. 
You mustn't blame him because it wasn't his fault. 

Betsy. 
Whose fault was it? 

Mrs, Reynolds. 

Well, it was mine in the end, but at first it was 
Reynolds'. 

Betsy. 
Reynolds ? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

Yes, Reynolds arranged it because some of his 
friends — political gentlemen — wanted to get Mr. 
Hamilton talked about. And of course when I went 
I hadn't an idea what he was like — and when I 
found he was so nice, I half wished I hadn't said I'd 



152 HAMILTON 

do it. But I'd given my word, you see, — and then 
you were away, and I'd never seen you. [Coming 
closer to look at her.] You're pretty, too, aren't 
you, only in a different way from me, and older. 
Don't you hate to think of growing old? 

Betsy. • 

Mrs. Reynolds, have you no sense of right and 
wrong ? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

Oh, yes, I know — I know when I'm doing 
wrong — but you see I have nobody to keep me 
straight. [A little to c. 

Betsy. 

Do you realize that you have broken this home 
and ruined a man's life? Isn't the thought of that 
enough to keep you straight? 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

• 

[Turning and coming back.] Oh, you're not go- 
ing to leave him ! You can't do that. That's why 
I came, because I thought you might be cross with 
him. 

Betsy. 

Have you no decency ? Your name flaming in 
the newspaper — your shame on the lips of every 
man and woman in the city ! 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Well, yes, of course it is bad in a sense, but then 
it's different for me to what it is for you, because it 
does give me a sort of a position. You see I've 
never had any position before, and now my name 
being in the paper coupled with Alexander Ham- 
ilton 



HAMILTON 153 

Betsy. 



\Stiiied,\ Oh- 



Mrs. Reynolds. 
It'll make Reynolds behave a good deal better to 
me, I know. Mean old thing! Of course you're 
good, with a good husband, and you don't under- 
stand. I suppose everything depends on the way 
you're brought up, doesn't it? I don't mean to be 
wicked — I wish I wasn't ! 

Betsy. 
Good-morning, Mrs. Reynolds. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
\Narvely.\ Oh, that means I'm to go. But you 
won't leave him, will you? 

Betsy. 
We have nothing more to discuss. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 

[Coming beside her and placing hand on chair.] 
Mrs. Hamilton, I didn't want to come here to-day 
and face you. It took some courage, I can tell you. 
But when I saw his confession this morning, I 
reckoned that took some courage too. I knew you 
had come home and that you'd see it all in the paper, 
and I made up my mind that you should know it 
was all a planned thing. I was set on to get him, 
any way ; but when I saw him and spoke to him and 
he thought I was in trouble and was so kind to me, 
I just fell in love with him and I didn't mean to 
let him go. 

Betsy. 

How can you stand there and tell me that ? 



154 HAMILTON 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
Because I don't want you to be hard on him. 
He's a good man — but I made up my mind that he 
shouldn't get away from me, so he isn't to blame, 
is he? 

\Enter Schuyler and Angelica hurriedly, 
R. Angelica goes up to r. c. at back, 
Schuyler remains at door, 

Schuyler. 
Alexander has left his room. I think it would be 
better if I let this young woman out by the side 
door. This way, please. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
[Crossing, turns to Betsy.] You won't leave 
him, will you? 

Betsy. 

Please go. 

Mrs. Reynolds. 
If you only knew more about — women, you'd for- 
give him. 

[Mrs. Reynolds exits with Schuyler. As 
she notices Schuyler's forbidding expres- 
sion she assumes a nonchalant swagger as 
she exits, Betsy sinks into chair weep- 
ing. 

Angelica. 
[Coming down to Betsy.] Did you hear what 
that woman said? 

Betsy. 
Yes. 



HAMILTON 155 

Angelica. 
I think God put those words into her mouth for 
you to hear. [E^iter Hamilton, l. He carries 
the Bill on which he has been working. After a 
moment's pause. ] Alexander — Betsy [ Ham- 
ilton puts his hand up and silences her, looking at 
Betsy as though to say '' Let Betsy speak.'' Betsy 
avoids looking at him and goes off r., hurriedly, as 
though she feared she might break down. Going to 
him in tears.] Oh, Alexander, youVe wronged her 
cruelly, but you stuck to the truth. 

Hamilton. 
[Taking her hands.] It's a great price to pay — 
but it was the only way — the only way for me. But 
oh, Angelica . . . Tve lost Betsy. 

[They move away a little to l. together. 
Enter Schuyler door r. 

Schuyler. 
[To R. c] Alexander, youVe got to see these 
people. There's a whole crowd waiting for you. 

Hamilton. 
The wolves are clamoring at the door, eh ? Well, 
they'll die of overfeeding. Who are they? 

Schuyler. 
Jefferson, Monroe, Madison 

Hamilton. 
Ha! Ha! Of course. 

Schuyler. 
John Jay, Robert Morris, John Marshall, Robert 
Livingston, and others besides. 



156 HAMILTON 

Hamilton. 
My friends, too. My friends of yesterday. 
Well, they are right. Have you seen them ? 

Schuyler. 
Not yet. Zekiel tried to get rid -of them, but they 
seem to be waiting with grim determination in 
there, and won't be moved. 

Hamilton. 
In here? [Going toward doors at back.] Well, 
we'll meet them this way. [Turns at doors.] 

You, dear friends, have been my allies [ They 

come to him on either side.] I release you and Til 
stand alone — not very strong, morally or physically, 
but we won't lose our courage. Angelica, dear girl, 
you have been too good, too indulgent to me, and 
not fair to Betsy. [Coming down a step or two 
zvith her. ] Go and give her what comfort you can. 
She will need it — at first. 

Angelica. 
[Goes toward door r.] You'll stay, father? 

Schuyler. 
[Testily, to cover his emotion.] Get out, get out ! 
Why should I run away ? I'm not a senator, thank 
God ! [Exit Angelica, r. 

Hamilton. 
[With hand on door c] Father, after this, I 
shall disappear. I shall probably go back to the 
West Indies where I was born. I will write to you. 
You will hear from me, but you won^t see me. 
Here's an end to the Federalist Party, and an end to 



HAMILTON 157 

my ambitions. My home is in ruins, but the honor 

of my office has been saved. 

[Breaking down. His head drops for a 
moment on his arms as he holds the handles 
of the doors. During that moment, Betsy 
enters r. i e. She has taken off her out- 
door clothes. She comes forward to Ham- 
ilton with outstretched arms. 

Betsy. 
Alexander ? 

Hamilton. 

[Turns to her, amazed; comes down and folds 
her tenderly in his arms.] Betsy ! 

Betsy. 
I thought I could be proud and hard, but I can't, 
dear — I can't. 

Hamilton. 
[Kissing her fervently.] My dear one ! [Kisses 
her again. Then to Schuyler^ who has come down 
R. of them.] Father, will you take Betsy, till this 
[indicating toward c. doors] is over? 

Betsy. 
No, Alexander. Let me stand by you. 

Hamilton. 
[Kisses her hand and she moves down r. He 
becomes a different man and going up he throws 
open the great centre doors. The room beyond is 
brilliantly lighted and the entire scene is lighted up. 
There is a murmur of conversation. The room 
beyond is filled with men — about a dozen or more; 
some are seated. Present are Marshall, Morris, 



158 HAMILTON 

Jay, Jefferson, Monroe, Livingston, Madison, 
MuHLENBURG, etc.\ Gentlemen, good-morning ! 
\He bows and they bow to him.] I regret that it 
was necessary for me to keep you waiting, but the 
pubhcation of the morning paper did not imme- 
diately relieve me of my duties as Secretary of the 
Treasury and I had pressing work. But now, gen- 
tlemen, I am here for your consumption. 

[Comes down r. Jefferson comes down c. 
Monroe behind him to l.. Jay to r. inside 
doors. Others form group in centre at 
doors. Curtain warning. 

Jefferson. 
Colonel Hamilton, you see before you political 
adherents, and political opponents — friends and 
foes. But I have been requested to act as spokes- 
man, and to express 

Hamilton. 
Mr. Jefferson, I know how painful must be the 
duty which has fallen upon you. Let me relieve 
you of it. I am glad you are here — both friends 
and foes. I know the object of your visit. You 
have come in advance of President Washington's 
orders to relieve me of my office. You are justified, 
and I have no excuses to offer. I am pained and 
ashamed at this inglorious end of my career. But 
at least I must still have the courage of my political 
opinions. Since early morning I have been work- 
ing to clarify this document. It is the Bill of the 
Government Assumption of States' Debts without 
which this country has no honor. It will now be 
ignominiously defeated, but it is my conviction that 
the sense of justice of my opponents will one day 



HAMILTON 159 

compel its adoption, and so, Mr. Jefferson, I de- 
liver it into your hands, sir, for safe keeping. 

[Hands document. 
Jefferson. 
[Without taking document.] Alexander Hamil- 
ton, you have mistaken our mission. I have been 
asked to tell you that every man in this room — every 
man in the Cabinet, every man in the Senate — is 
anxious to take you by the hand. 

Monroe. 
[Coming forward and taking his hand.] Their 
admiration for your courage has overwhelmed their 
knowledge of your indiscretion. You need have no 
fear for your Bill now, Colonel Hamilton; your 
action will swing the whole country. I trust I 
know how to appreciate courage and how to 
acknowledge defeat. 

[Retires to l. Enter at back from l. two 
military aides. They remain in outer room 
and salute Hamilton. Colonel Lear 
follows them and comes down c. 

Jay. 
Here is Colonel Lear. 

Hamilton. 

Colonel Lear. You come from President Wash- 
ington ? 

Lear. 

[Saluting.] Colonel Hamilton, I have the honor 
to announce that President Washington has left the 
executive mansion and is now on his way here to 
express to you in person the high opinion he holds 
of your integrity. [Salutes and retires to Jay. 



l6o HAMILTON 

Jefferson. 
Citizen Hamilton, our political opinions may differ 
in the future as in the past, but my impression of 
your conduct in this matter will remain glowing and 
unchangeable. It is the bravest thing a man ever 
did. Your vindication of the honor of the Secre- 
tary of the Treasury, the servant of the Nation, at 
the expense of the honor of Alexander Hamilton, 
the man, is a display of personal courage that wills 
rouse the admiration of the world. Citizen Hamil- 
ton, I am proud to take your hand. 

\Shakes him hy the hand. There is a buzz 
of approval, 

Hamilton. 
Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Monroe, gentlemen. I am 
deeply moved by the expression of your sentiment 
toward me, but your decision to support this bill 
has stirred within me a still deeper feeling. By that 
decision you have established the credit and the 
honor of the United States. You have opened the 
flood-gates of prosperity, a prosperity that will 
reach far beyond our present vision, a prosperity 
that will one day make America the market of the 
world. This is what I have striven for, and so, 
gentlemen, I tender you my felicitations and my 
thanks. [Turns to Betsy. 



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